CnC3 disc broke - free replacement possible?

[Stormpigeon]

I bought Command and Conquer: Tiberium Wars a while ago and wanted to re-play it but when I got round to reinstalling it the progress bar just sticks at one point and never moves.
I had a look at my disc and its quite scratched and battered.
Is there anyway I can use my CD key or something to get a working version of the game without having to buy it twice?

Cheers

 

[oplinger]

Sure, download it. Technically you do own the game, and you have a key, you just need the data on the disc, so go for it.

If you won't do that, then you'll have to buy it twice probably...you could contact EA I guess and ask.

 

[DEAD34345]

Well yes, you could torrent it. Since you did buy the product, and you still have the CD key, I'm fairly certain it would be legal. The law states that you are allowed to have backups of software you have bought (I think).

 

[teqrevisited]

At least for me, EA customer support was surprisingly helpful. They gave me new keys when mine didn't work. They might be able to help with proof of purchase such as the box & manual, but they'd probably charge seeing as it's a disc replacement.

 

[Worgen]

I doubt ea would ship you a new disk but they might activate the game on origin, if you feel like using origin.

 

[Lukeje]

Well yes, you could torrent it. Since you did buy the product, and you still have the CD key, I'm fairly certain it would be legal. The law states that you are allowed to have backups of software you have bought (I think).

You are allowed to make back ups. Downloading them is legally... questionable.

 

[PatrickXD]

They'd probably either charge you for a new disc, or more likely just unlock the game in Origin for you.

 

[DEAD34345]

Well yes, you could torrent it. Since you did buy the product, and you still have the CD key, I'm fairly certain it would be legal. The law states that you are allowed to have backups of software you have bought (I think).

You are allowed to make back ups. Downloading them is legally... questionable.

Hmm... maybe, like I said, I don't know for certain. A lot of emulation sites state that downloading ROMs is legal as long as you own the game in question, but then again those sites aren't exactly the best place to find good information about legal issues.

Anyway, I'd consider it fine ethically regardless, so that's still my recommendation (if EA support aren't helpful/charge you).

 

[Stormpigeon]

Thanks for the advice, think I'll go for the definitely legal option before the questionable one.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

I doubt ea would ship you a new disk but they might activate the game on origin, if you feel like using origin.

I've got some bad news on that front: Origin only works with CD keys from 2009 on. Since the game in question was released in 2007, he's probably SOL on getting a free copy through Origin. I know this because I tried it with my copy of Battlefield 2 earlier today, and while it didn't work, the help link explained the rules on inputting codes and how old they can be. Incidentally, I love the system they use for inputting CD keys. It's non-case sensitive, and the dashes are completely optional; I think we've all had programs that we've had to re-input codes for because we messed up something with those dashes.

 

[Worgen]

I doubt ea would ship you a new disk but they might activate the game on origin, if you feel like using origin.

I've got some bad news on that front: Origin only works with CD keys from 2009 on. Since the game in question was released in 2007, he's probably SOL on getting a free copy through Origin. I know this because I tried it with my copy of Battlefield 2 earlier today, and while it didn't work, the help link explained the rules on inputting codes and how old they can be. Incidentally, I love the system they use for inputting CD keys. It's non-case sensitive, and the dashes are completely optional; I think we've all had programs that we've had to re-input codes for because we messed up something with those dashes.

There is no question that the cd key wouldn't work but if he called customer support they might just give him the game on origin, when I was having trouble with dead space 2 the customer support guy was really eager to give me the origin version.

 

[Epona]

Well yes, you could torrent it. Since you did buy the product, and you still have the CD key, I'm fairly certain it would be legal. The law states that you are allowed to have backups of software you have bought (I think).

You are allowed to make back ups. Downloading them is legally... questionable.

Why is it legally questionable? Is there or is there not a law that says you can't download a backup?

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

I doubt ea would ship you a new disk but they might activate the game on origin, if you feel like using origin.

I've got some bad news on that front: Origin only works with CD keys from 2009 on. Since the game in question was released in 2007, he's probably SOL on getting a free copy through Origin. I know this because I tried it with my copy of Battlefield 2 earlier today, and while it didn't work, the help link explained the rules on inputting codes and how old they can be. Incidentally, I love the system they use for inputting CD keys. It's non-case sensitive, and the dashes are completely optional; I think we've all had programs that we've had to re-input codes for because we messed up something with those dashes.

There is no question that the cd key wouldn't work but if he called customer support they might just give him the game on origin, when I was having trouble with dead space 2 the customer support guy was really eager to give me the origin version.

Okay, that I can see happening. Companies tend to bend over backwards when a customer complains and fixing it costs them nothing. It's definitely worth a shot.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

Well yes, you could torrent it. Since you did buy the product, and you still have the CD key, I'm fairly certain it would be legal. The law states that you are allowed to have backups of software you have bought (I think).

You are allowed to make back ups. Downloading them is legally... questionable.

Why is it legally questionable? Is there or is there not a law that says you can't download a backup?

You're right; it's unquestionably illegal. The questionable part is whether you see it as morally wrong or not. As I'm fond of noting, US Copyright law is seriously messed up.

 

[Epona]

Well yes, you could torrent it. Since you did buy the product, and you still have the CD key, I'm fairly certain it would be legal. The law states that you are allowed to have backups of software you have bought (I think).

You are allowed to make back ups. Downloading them is legally... questionable.

Why is it legally questionable? Is there or is there not a law that says you can't download a backup?

You're right; it's unquestionably illegal. The questionable part is whether you see it as morally wrong or not. As I'm fond of noting, US Copyright law is seriously messed up.

So there is a law that says you have to make the backup yourself? Morally speaking, I see no problem with it.

The real issue here is that the DMCA conflicts. You are allowed to make a backup so long as you don't break the copy protection (DRM) to do it. That translates into, you are not allowed to make a backup of anything thats worth making a backup of.

People argue about downloading ROMS and saying they must be deleted in 24 hours but we both know that is just people making shit up. It's either legal or not, there is no 24 hour rule.

As far as I am concerned, DRM prevents legal backups so the publisher should provide FREE replacement copies (I will allow shipping costs) because they prevented the consumer from making their own low-cost replacement (a blank DVD costs about $.50 at the most).

 

[Lukeje]

Well yes, you could torrent it. Since you did buy the product, and you still have the CD key, I'm fairly certain it would be legal. The law states that you are allowed to have backups of software you have bought (I think).

You are allowed to make back ups. Downloading them is legally... questionable.

Why is it legally questionable? Is there or is there not a law that says you can't download a backup?

You're right; it's unquestionably illegal. The questionable part is whether you see it as morally wrong or not. As I'm fond of noting, US Copyright law is seriously messed up.

I meant questionable in that the letter of the law isn't really set in stone until a case comes to trial. And I'm not aware of a case where someone has tried this plea (though as I am not a copyright lawyer my information is probably horrendously out of date).

 

[wordsmith]

I doubt ea would ship you a new disk but they might activate the game on origin, if you feel like using origin.

I've got some bad news on that front: Origin only works with CD keys from 2009 on. Since the game in question was released in 2007, he's probably SOL on getting a free copy through Origin. I know this because I tried it with my copy of Battlefield 2 earlier today, and while it didn't work, the help link explained the rules on inputting codes and how old they can be. Incidentally, I love the system they use for inputting CD keys. It's non-case sensitive, and the dashes are completely optional; I think we've all had programs that we've had to re-input codes for because we messed up something with those dashes.

There is no question that the cd key wouldn't work but if he called customer support they might just give him the game on origin, when I was having trouble with dead space 2 the customer support guy was really eager to give me the origin version.

Okay, that I can see happening. Companies tend to bend over backwards when a customer complains and fixing it costs them nothing. It's definitely worth a shot.

Companies, yes. EA, no. The only thing I can see EA bending over to do is shaft this guy for another £20.

I'd see if you can find a used copy on ebay or something. Personally I'd Rather All Technically Earned games were available, if only there was a way of doing it... The legit CD key would technically mean it was your copy?

 

[Akihiko]

I doubt ea would ship you a new disk but they might activate the game on origin, if you feel like using origin.

I've got some bad news on that front: Origin only works with CD keys from 2009 on. Since the game in question was released in 2007, he's probably SOL on getting a free copy through Origin. I know this because I tried it with my copy of Battlefield 2 earlier today, and while it didn't work, the help link explained the rules on inputting codes and how old they can be. Incidentally, I love the system they use for inputting CD keys. It's non-case sensitive, and the dashes are completely optional; I think we've all had programs that we've had to re-input codes for because we messed up something with those dashes.

Actually, there is ways to activate games which you got before 2009. Some of them actually work in Origin fine. My C&C3 and Mirrors Edge keys worked fine without any work around just inputted them into Origin and bam. Mass Effect on the other hand I had to use https://activate.ea.com/applyentitlement.do but it worked.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

Well yes, you could torrent it. Since you did buy the product, and you still have the CD key, I'm fairly certain it would be legal. The law states that you are allowed to have backups of software you have bought (I think).

You are allowed to make back ups. Downloading them is legally... questionable.

Why is it legally questionable? Is there or is there not a law that says you can't download a backup?

You're right; it's unquestionably illegal. The questionable part is whether you see it as morally wrong or not. As I'm fond of noting, US Copyright law is seriously messed up.

I meant questionable in that the letter of the law isn't really set in stone until a case comes to trial. And I'm not aware of a case where someone has tried this plea (though as I am not a copyright lawyer my information is probably horrendously out of date).

I'm not a lawyer either, but I'm pretty sure there have been rulings to that effect. I'm thinking specifically about cases involving Nintendo and cartridge backups.

I doubt ea would ship you a new disk but they might activate the game on origin, if you feel like using origin.

I've got some bad news on that front: Origin only works with CD keys from 2009 on. Since the game in question was released in 2007, he's probably SOL on getting a free copy through Origin. I know this because I tried it with my copy of Battlefield 2 earlier today, and while it didn't work, the help link explained the rules on inputting codes and how old they can be. Incidentally, I love the system they use for inputting CD keys. It's non-case sensitive, and the dashes are completely optional; I think we've all had programs that we've had to re-input codes for because we messed up something with those dashes.

There is no question that the cd key wouldn't work but if he called customer support they might just give him the game on origin, when I was having trouble with dead space 2 the customer support guy was really eager to give me the origin version.

Okay, that I can see happening. Companies tend to bend over backwards when a customer complains and fixing it costs them nothing. It's definitely worth a shot.

Companies, yes. EA, no. The only thing I can see EA bending over to do is shaft this guy for another £20.

I'd see if you can find a used copy on ebay or something. Personally I'd Rather All Technically Earned games were available, if only there was a way of doing it... The legit CD key would technically mean it was your copy?

Never underestimate how far a company will go to make an individual customer happy if it's easy and cheap for them. Giving the OP a digital copy of the game will literally cost them nothing, and it will be a great little PR move -- he'll be much more likely to talk up EA's customer support to his friends and family. EA may be evil, but they aren't stupid.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

I doubt ea would ship you a new disk but they might activate the game on origin, if you feel like using origin.

I've got some bad news on that front: Origin only works with CD keys from 2009 on. Since the game in question was released in 2007, he's probably SOL on getting a free copy through Origin. I know this because I tried it with my copy of Battlefield 2 earlier today, and while it didn't work, the help link explained the rules on inputting codes and how old they can be. Incidentally, I love the system they use for inputting CD keys. It's non-case sensitive, and the dashes are completely optional; I think we've all had programs that we've had to re-input codes for because we messed up something with those dashes.

Actually, there is ways to activate games which you got before 2009. Some of them actually work in Origin fine. My C&C3 and Mirrors Edge keys worked fine without any work around just inputted them into Origin and bam. Mass Effect on the other hand I had to use https://activate.ea.com/applyentitlement.do but it worked.

Interesting. Unfortunately, it didn't work for my copy of BF2; I guess 2005 is just too old.