Halo Online, the series' new free-to-play spin-off, is coming exclusively to Russian PCs in the coming weeks, and Microsoft wants to keep it from leaking outside that country. However, after files from the game leaked and were re-purposed by modders, Microsoft responded by targeting Github with a Digital Millenium Copyright Act (DMCA) takedown notice of a modding team's Halo Online game launcher.

"This repository is currently disabled due to a DMCA takedown notice," the link to the repo in Github currently says. "We have disabled public access to the repository. The notice has been publicly posted. If you are the repository owner, and you believe that your repository was disabled as a result of mistake or misidentification, you have the right to file a counter notice and have the repository reinstated."

The DMCA requires ISPs to remove infringing content or face legal liability for infringement.

But most gamers aren't concerned with geo-restrictions. Modders who accessed those files then attempted to make the game fully playable no matter where its players resided. But Microsoft says the game isn't ready for global primetime.

"Right now our focus is on learning as much as we can from the closed beta period in Russia," Microsoft announced at the Halo Waypoint blog last week. "Theoretically, any expansion outside of Russia would have to go through region-specific changes to address player expectations."

Gameplay footage of the new game has also been removed from YouTube because of a DMCA notice. The 17-minute-long video, posted by Halo YouTuber Noble, revealed maps and weapons in a first-person game "heavily based on Halo 3 with weapon and armor skins akin to Halo 4," according to MP1ST.

The DMCA claims should come as no surprise. Microsoft aggressively defends copyrights—including those of its gaming empire—against modders. In 2009, for example, Microsoft moved to cut off access to Xbox Live online gaming for those using modified Xbox consoles.

"All consumers should know that piracy is illegal and that modifying their Xbox 360 console to play pirated discs violates the Xbox Live terms of use, will void their warranty and result in a ban from Xbox Live," Microsoft said at the time.

What's more, in 2010 the company supported the federal prosecution of a Southern California man accused of running a business from his Southern California house modifying Xbox 360 firmware. The mod enabled the consoles to play pirated games. Charges against Matthew Crippen, however, were dismissed following bungling from Los Angeles prosecutors.

Microsoft's latest actions are a blow to Halo diehards.

According to Se7enSins, the 25-person El Dorito modding team for Halo Online was "working on building a framework for the game to be playable, as well as a custom console with a plethora of features we believe are necessary to the game." That's according to team member Pyong that the site says it was quoting.

A reddit thread has team member Swarmmm saying, "Yes, we've got it booting into the menu, lobbies working, and something special that everyone is going to go nuts for."