<p>It's definitely not against the law. It might be breaking the terms of service (ToS) but there's really no reason why any dedicated server hosting provider wouldn't allow you to max out the CPU. I wouldn't do business with them if they limited that. However, you need to read your hosting provider's ToS. They might forbid certain applications like IRC servers, BitTorrent, Tor, etc. If they don't list Bitcoin then you are good to go.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-12-11T18:04:47.780Z
+1, the law / ToS difference is very interesting.  They're (OVH) supposedly the 3rd biggest hosting company worldwide (they're french but now physically expanding even in North America) so I take it I'm not the first to wonder about this : )
Cedric Martin
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-12-11T16:54:48.167Z
2013-12-11T16:54:48.167Z
Bitlab.co
<p>Many hosts do have a vague TOS clause about running processes that occupy too much of the server's overhead.  Often they will automatically throttle or even kill your processes.  For example, godaddy.com has limits on how much CPU time and power a process can use on their shared hosts.  They will automatically kill it if it runs past their limits.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-12-11T18:35:52.343Z
For shared hosting that's common but I've never heard of that for dedicated hosting.
Bitlab.co
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-12-11T19:05:46.443Z
Some of the bottom end low-cost guys have caused me problems.  One of them is no longer in business.
user6972
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-12-11T18:11:51.253Z
2013-12-11T18:11:51.253Z
user6972
<p>I've got several dedicated servers which I'm renting for about 250 Euros from a big hoster (OVH). These server are used for things like ssh/scp, SVN and Git servers (for private repositories), HTTP proxy, etc.</p>

<p>Nothing shaddy here: just fully legal servers that see little use.</p>

<p>I realize these servers are really not powerful at all and would make terrible miners (at least for all the cryptocurrencies where GPU and ASIC mining is disproportionally powerful compared to CPU mining): that is not the point of my question.</p>

<p>My question is: can you legally use a dedicated server which you fully pay for to mine cryptocurrencies all year long? Basically I realized that the CPUs would be running at full speed and would consume more electricity than the way I use them now.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-12-12T01:04:14.973Z
If they are your servers you can use them in any way you want.
Ramhound
<mining-pools><legal><server><cpu-mining>
Is it legal to use rented dedicated servers to mine?
Cedric Martin
# Is it legal to use rented dedicated servers to mine?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-12-11)

I've got several dedicated servers which I'm renting for about 250 Euros from a big hoster (OVH). These server are used for things like ssh/scp, SVN and Git servers (for private repositories), HTTP proxy, etc.

Nothing shaddy here: just fully legal servers that see little use.

I realize these servers are really not powerful at all and would make terrible miners (at least for all the cryptocurrencies where GPU and ASIC mining is disproportionally powerful compared to CPU mining): that is not the point of my question.

My question is: can you legally use a dedicated server which you fully pay for to mine cryptocurrencies all year long? Basically I realized that the CPUs would be running at full speed and would consume more electricity than the way I use them now.

**Tags:** mining-pools, legal, server, cpu-mining

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: If they are your servers you can use them in any way you want.  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2013-12-11. Score: 11

It's definitely not against the law. It might be breaking the terms of service (ToS) but there's really no reason why any dedicated server hosting provider wouldn't allow you to max out the CPU. I wouldn't do business with them if they limited that. However, you need to read your hosting provider's ToS. They might forbid certain applications like IRC servers, BitTorrent, Tor, etc. If they don't list Bitcoin then you are good to go.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: +1, the law / ToS difference is very interesting.  They're (OVH) supposedly the 3rd biggest hosting company worldwide (they're french but now physically expanding even in North America) so I take it I'm not the first to wonder about this : )  

---

### Answer by username_3 on 2013-12-11. Score: 0

Many hosts do have a vague TOS clause about running processes that occupy too much of the server's overhead. Often they will automatically throttle or even kill your processes. For example, godaddy.com has limits on how much CPU time and power a process can use on their shared hosts. They will automatically kill it if it runs past their limits.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: For shared hosting that's common but I've never heard of that for dedicated hosting.  
> **username_3**: Some of the bottom end low-cost guys have caused me problems.  One of them is no longer in business.  

---

