Is it legal to download a game if...
- Thread starter jlee
- Start date
Probably not, but why let that stop you? 
If you have the original I don't really see the problem.
It's like using a copy instead.
Don't think the game companies got as anal as the music companies yet, that you aren't allowed to have backup copies without signing away your soul and sacrificing at least 1 kid.
If you have the original I don't really see the problem.
It's like using a copy instead.
Don't think the game companies got as anal as the music companies yet, that you aren't allowed to have backup copies without signing away your soul and sacrificing at least 1 kid.
I don't see why it would be illegal. Downloading "romz" is legal if you own the license. What you buy from the publisher is the license, not the disc. If it were the other way around, copying CDs for your buddies would be legal. Just do it. Even if it's not legal, it's ethically fine.
Actually its perfectly legal and ethical if you have the original registration code and license. See you arent paying for the CD, you are paying for the license.
deerslayer
Lifer
- Jan 15, 2001
- 10,153
- 0
- 76
Not the least bit unethical.
It's o different than me selling a new in box version of a game for $5 or giving it away. The manufacturer was paid their asking price for it so after that as long as the same "license" is used by a single part it doesnt matter if that party obtains it for $50,000 or $0.05, it doesn't matter.
As for downloading the game, yes it is technically legal, no it is not ethically wrong. From your standpoint and the manufacturers standpoint nobody has broken any rulez, even the people distributing the "copy" are fine, right up until the point where someone gains access to the software through them who DOESN'T have a license.
Thats the tricky part of prosecuting some of these groups, is that you cannot PROVE (unless you track down one of the unauthorized downloaders) that someone without a legit copy downloaded and used it. What's worse is that in most states you can't even go on yourself, or hire someone to go on and download it from them, because then your breaking the law willingly to prove that someone else broke the law, but the only reason they broke the law is because you willing broke the law to prove it.
So you HAVE to find someone who, without your interaction, went on, and without a previous license, download a copy and used it.
- Sep 12, 2001
- 48,511
- 219
- 106
If the game was already paid for, the manufacturer has their money already..I fail to see where it's unethical. If I have the CD/license, technically I own the game (except if I stole it..which I didn't)..correct?
By that reasoning, would my buying a $5000 car for $3000 unethical?
Edit: I thought the CD was damaged ("cracked CD")..turns out it is a..well, 'cracked' CD..but not in the damaged sense. Nevermind..I'll be hunting the FS/T forum shortly
datalink7
Lifer
- Jan 23, 2001
- 16,765
- 6
- 81
Originally posted by: CadetLee
If the game was already paid for, the manufacturer has their money already..I fail to see where it's unethical. If I have the CD/license, technically I own the game (except if I stole it..which I didn't)..correct?
By that reasoning, would my buying a $5000 car for $3000 unethical?
Edit: I thought the CD was damaged ("cracked CD")..turns out it is a..well, 'cracked' CD..but not in the damaged sense. Nevermind..I'll be hunting the FS/T forum shortly
Exactly. How exactly is it unethical?
Zenmervolt
Elite member
- Oct 22, 2000
- 24,510
- 13
- 81
I think that they had thought that the person selling you the damaged CD would try to keep using the game as well. As long as the seller is not continuing to use the game, then you're buying the license and it would be technically legal.Originally posted by: CadetLee
If the game was already paid for, the manufacturer has their money already..I fail to see where it's unethical. If I have the CD/license, technically I own the game (except if I stole it..which I didn't)..correct?
By that reasoning, would my buying a $5000 car for $3000 unethical?
Edit: I thought the CD was damaged ("cracked CD")..turns out it is a..well, 'cracked' CD..but not in the damaged sense. Nevermind..I'll be hunting the FS/T forum shortly
ZV
I don't think downloading warez CD is legal, no matter how you justify it.
If it would be legal, why than manufacturer of the game wouldn't offer free download link to those who have their CDs damaged? To give you a good example, imagine you're driving your car and accidently wreck it. Can you go ahead and steal the same identical car from the dealer's parking lot simply because you paid for the car once already? Seriously, think about that...
If it would be legal, why than manufacturer of the game wouldn't offer free download link to those who have their CDs damaged? To give you a good example, imagine you're driving your car and accidently wreck it. Can you go ahead and steal the same identical car from the dealer's parking lot simply because you paid for the car once already? Seriously, think about that...
With a vehicle you have purchased that physical item, with software you have purchased rights to use a particular arrangement of 1's and 0's. How you get that arrangement of 1's and 0's is completely irrelevant if you have purchased the license to use them.
Ever noticed how when a PC comes with an OEM Windows CD it's always sealed in the original packaging (with the COA enclosed)? Surely that install must be illegal, since they didn't use YOUR CD to install it. Most likely it was installed from a ghosted image or from a burned OS install CD that the shop uses.
With software the license is all that matters.
Viper GTS
Chaotic42
Lifer
- Jun 15, 2001
- 33,929
- 1,097
- 126
Not for software. You're purchasing a license to use the software. Since the license isn't a physical thing, you can't damage it, only the means of executing it. You should contact the company about getting a cheap replacment.
The car example is nothing like this.
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