Question about Copyright laws (losing an original cd)

[CubicZirconia]

This hasn't been a good weekend for me. I had a whole bunch of my game cd's in a cd case that one way or another I've lost. Don't ask me how it happened, it just did. The question I have is this: If I lost the original cd for a game that I legally owned, would it be ok to get a copy of someone elses? I still have the boxes and all the accompanying documentation. I assume its ok, since it would be like a "backup" copy. I'm hoping its alright, it might help me get over the loss.

 

[SWirth86]

Legally: I'm not sure......I'm thinking that you should have made backup copies yourself so legally you can't copy your friends's cd's. But I'm not sure....

Morally: Yea, copy them, find alternate sources, etc.

 

[MajesticMoose]

probably not, but who really cares if it is technically legal. You paid money for the game, you ought to be able to use it. You aren't stealing anything and so as long as you have all the documentation as well as the key, i don't see how they could really get you. In the billion to one chance that someone does say something to you, all that you have to do is say you made the copy yourself when you first got the game which would qualify as fair use, and therefore would be legal.

 

[CubicZirconia]

Fair enough, thanks.

 

[Mday]

this is the actual gray zone...

when you purchase things like CDs, and stuff, you purchase a license, that is somewhat independent of the actual disk. but depending on the license agreement, which is not actually found on audio CDs, you may or may not have any rights if the disk breaks.

 

[pulse8]

For a lot of stuff, you may be able to contact the company who made it and explain your situation. If you have a valid CD-Key or some other proof of purchase, they may send you out another CD.