I'm not saying they're the same, I'm saying that the reason the rule exists applies to both the forum and the game both. It's not legal for them to allow someone that is 12 and under to register for a game account OR a forum account - why would they allow them to continue playing the game if they're going to ban someone for being underage on the forum?
Do you get banned from WoW if you post as underage on their forums? I don't know, I don't play MMO's.
It is still bullshit. If the law says someone can buy the game, and the law does not prevent them from playing the game (COPPA does not, it just means the companies have to keep a bit better records), then they should not ban people from playing the game for age related reasons UNLESS they clearly and prominintly display that on the box.
I think you need to read at least the wikipedia page on COPPAThe forum and the game fall under the same legislation. EA/Bioware can't knowingly store underage information. Treating the forum/game differently would do nothing.
They didn't even ask if he had his parents permission, which would make the whole thing moot as that is totally legal.try making a WoW account, and then telling a mod ingame that you are underage and don't have your parents permission.