I just downloaded a full game, does this make me a criminal?

Specop 007

Diamond Member
Jan 31, 2005
9,454
0
0
Thank you torrents! :D

I just downloaded a Starcraft ISO. Why would I come shout out my nefarious deeds?
Because I legally purchased the game....twice. Fact I still have the CD case for one of the games but I do have 2 valid serial numbers.

My problem was the kids scratched the CD and it was unusable. I was SOL. It was either buy the game *again* or turn to
pirating" to get a copy of the game, install it and use one of my 2 valid serial numbers.

So my question to ATOT is two fold.

First, do you think game designers should allow replacements of damaged CD's is the end user has a valid, registered serial? And two, do you think its illegal to download something, in this case Starcraft, if the owner has a valid serial for the game but the game disc has been damaged?

For me, its always been a major point of anger that my CD's are just as protected as the serial for the game. Personally, I would almost be just as happy if I bought the serial number or other activation type key and could download a copy of the game at will from a server.
 

Specop 007

Diamond Member
Jan 31, 2005
9,454
0
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Originally posted by: lokiju
Steam makes this a non-issue.

As much as I used to piss and moan about Steam.....Yes. Steam is definitely the shit in this regard. I've actually lost track of my original Half Life CDs because I just dont need them anymore.
 

KeithTalent

Elite Member | Administrator | No Lifer
Administrator
Nov 30, 2005
50,231
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You should have just shot the disc with your big gun, that would have shown it.

KT
 

isekii

Lifer
Mar 16, 2001
28,578
3
81
I usually run all games like SC, D2 and such off the ISO since it runs smoother. Especially in D2 when you're battling for drops.
 
Dec 26, 2007
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Originally posted by: isekii
I usually run all games like SC, D2 and such off the ISO since it runs smoother. Especially in D2 when you're battling for drops.

Blast you AOL for all the missed drops you made me lose because I lagged out as Meph died.

Oh wait... I've never had AOL...
 

Golgatha

Lifer
Jul 18, 2003
12,315
798
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Originally posted by: isekii
I usually run all games like SC, D2 and such off the ISO since it runs smoother. Especially in D2 when you're battling for drops.

Yeap, for all the old games that just do a CD check, ISO files are the way to go. For single player experiences that require a CD and have something like Securom (here's looking at you Bioshock) I go for the cracked .exe file. I actually like the Online activation thing, as long as the company who put out the game releases a patch to remove the activation (say 5years after release or so). Mass Effect and Halo 2 are good examples of games that I don't need CDs for, but I hope release a no activation patch at some point.

Steam can still bite me whenever there is a physical medium available. I like to sell old games I don't think I'll ever replay and I'm certainly not a collector of PC games. I dare to think about what would happen if Valve went out of business or someone like EA bought them out.
 

NaOH

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2006
5,015
0
0
I heart steam.
95% of the games I play are on there. The only games I need a cd for are wc3 dota ( you don't need it to play though )
 

MotF Bane

No Lifer
Dec 22, 2006
60,801
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Originally posted by: Golgatha
I dare to think about what would happen if Valve went out of business or someone like EA bought them out.

Thanks, I'm going to have nightmares now.
 

jjones

Lifer
Oct 9, 2001
15,424
2
0
IMO you buy the license (product key, serial number, etc) and not the actual software. Kind of like what you do with your typical a/v program where you have the software and in order to use it you need the license key. Legally according to the EULA it may be different than that, but I don't care as I've made the purchase, have a valid product key, and that's good enough for my conscience.
 

rivan

Diamond Member
Jul 8, 2003
9,677
3
81
I see nothing ethically wrong with what you did; I've done it in the past myself.

 

frostedflakes

Diamond Member
Mar 1, 2005
7,925
1
81
Game torrents (even older ones) seem to be pretty well monitored, you may be getting a copyright violation notice in the mail soon. :Q

I'd like to see them try take you to court over this, though. In fact, if they try to, please fight it and set a legal precedent for us. :)
 

darkxshade

Lifer
Mar 31, 2001
13,749
6
81
While what you're doing is understandable, keep in mind that since you're downloading a torrent, you have contributed to the distribution of the game to many people who prob didn't have a valid serial number. So even if it's not illegal to download in your case, it's definately illegal to upload.
 

T9D

Diamond Member
Dec 1, 2001
5,320
6
0
I need to do this for Roller coaster tycoon 2. I paid for a downloadable version but it doesn't let me download it anymore. I can't find my key anywhere and when I try to have the site send me the key it's like all my info is gone. I guess it was just to long ago. But still thats lame, I should be able to forever have access to it.
 

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
81
while many will considerit illegal. i do not. you already own the game but teh cd is messed up. Since you can't make backups to protect the disk you have to be able to do something.
 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
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Originally posted by: Specop 007
First, do you think game designers should allow replacements of damaged CD's is the end user has a valid, registered serial? And two, do you think its illegal to download something, in this case Starcraft, if the owner has a valid serial for the game but the game disc has been damaged?

They usually do.

Originally posted by: Specop 007
For me, its always been a major point of anger that my CD's are just as protected as the serial for the game. Personally, I would almost be just as happy if I bought the serial number or other activation type key and could download a copy of the game at will from a server.

You sometimes can. However, with todays games on multiple DVD's it's not practical.

Buying a piece of software from a company that's selling it illegally doesn't make it ok because you have a key for it.

I have known many that claim they have keys actually have copies of known 'open' keys hence why they can't just call up tech support for a new media set.
 

Vehemence

Banned
Jan 25, 2008
5,943
0
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Originally posted by: rivan
I see nothing ethically wrong with what you did; I've done it in the past myself.

This. The FBI isn't going to knock down your door and arrest you, and you can rest your conscious if you legitimately bought it previously, so all is fine.
 

Linux23

Lifer
Apr 9, 2000
11,339
714
126
Well, you broke the rules of the license agreement. There is no Grey area when you agree to the terms of the game maker. Suck it up and buy another copy.