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

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Originally posted by: Specop 007
Thank you torrents! 😀

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.
Click to expand...

I believe I've purchased Starcraft at least 4x within the past decade.
Couldn't find my CDKeys/Jewel cases.

With Starcraft, as long as you send Blizzard the jewel case(with the old key on it), they'll send you a new one(with a new key) free of charge.
The old key will be disabled of course.
 
Originally posted by: waggy
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.
Click to expand...

i can see both sides here. i suppose if you bought a dvd that was scratched up, you could try bringing it back to the store for a new one... some places they might let you and some places they might not. its not their fault if your kids fucked up your shit you know

on the other hand i think about microsoft. my boyfriend was trying to fix my computer and we were going to upgrade my SP to his SP2. i bought a computer, i bought windows, i had a valid key. anyways, something wasnt working so we ended up just calling microsoft for a new key. HAHA
they did actually give us one and now my shit works great.

sorry, i dont know how this is directly related. i must have gotten flustered with all this talk about disks and keys and such. hehe
 
EA will replace cds for you for a $5 charge. I think that is reasonable. I lost my BFME2 cd and ordered a replacement from them. Easy enough and no pirating necessary.
 
Originally posted by: Linux23
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.
Click to expand...

Not necessarily. I bet half the stuff in a EULA would not hold up if it was challenged in a court.

As for the OP, I don't really see an issue with downloading an ISO of the game you already own. The only place where you might be in trouble is the distribution aspect, since the torrent also uploads to others.
 
Originally posted by: Lothar
Originally posted by: Specop 007
Thank you torrents! 😀

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.
Click to expand...

I believe I've purchased Starcraft at least 4x within the past decade.
Couldn't find my CDKeys/Jewel cases.

With Starcraft, as long as you send Blizzard the jewel case(with the old key on it), they'll send you a new one(with a new key) free of charge.
The old key will be disabled of course.
Click to expand...

No kidding?? Heck, i didnt know that, thats cool!
 
Originally posted by: Brainonska511
Originally posted by: Linux23
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.
Click to expand...

Not necessarily. I bet half the stuff in a EULA would not hold up if it was challenged in a court.

As for the OP, I don't really see an issue with downloading an ISO of the game you already own. The only place where you might be in trouble is the distribution aspect, since the torrent also uploads to others.
Click to expand...

Unless you disable the uploading feature :thumbsup:
 
How about this one. I purchased Total Annihilation back when it came out.. what.. 1996 or 1997? I played the heck out of it.. sometime since then, when I've moved 4 times, I've lost the copy of my game. I still have the box and part of the jewel case, but no cd.

Is it ok for me to download it again on an ISO? I mean, I bought the game before and I've played it before, so it should be both legal and ethical for me to do this.

How about music? when in college, I went to many pawnshops and bought cds for a buck or two apiece.. I have owned Temple of the Dog at least 3 times now and other various cds as well. I've since misplaced them or my wife threw them away or something. Is it ok for me to download the music and listen? I mean, I've paid for a copy before and have legally owned it.
 
A few years ago, I bought a computer chair. Over time, the chair deteriorated, as will happen with most items. Today, the chair is in a bad state of disrepair. Should I be allowed to go to an office supply store and simply take one? After all, I did pay for the chair to begin with...

Historically, I've always been of the mindset that once you purchase software, you own it, regardless of the condition of the disc or whatever. But reading your query, it struck me, everything breaks down over time. Furniture, cars, electronics, appliances, clothing... If I buy an audio CD, and it cracks, I can't claim a new one. Why should it be different for a game CD? Thank goodness things like Steam are coming along and cleaning up this grey area.
 
You pay for the intellectual property, not the media. The chair analogy makes no sense.


If you really like that analogy... You can build your own chair and not be breaking any laws. Shouldn't that make copying a game legal too??
 
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