Ethics regarding Piracy.

[Soviet Heavy]

I was watching the Extra Credits video about game piracy. They mentioned that they personally are against piracy with some exceptions regarding impossible to get games, or out of production titles.

I have another one to add to that list, and I wondered what others would consider. Suppose a person buys a game, but the disc comes scratched, and they for some reason can't return it to the store. Would it be ethical to pirate the game that you rightfully paid money for, but received a broken version of?

What do you think? Would this be ethical? Or would it be still pirating in your eyes?

 

[Mittens The Kitten]

Ethical, obvious.
Next.

 

[spartan231490]

I'd say that's ethical. you payed for the right to play it, and you have the right to play it. So long as you don't then give it to all your friends sounds fine to me.

 

[Radeonx]

It is ethical, but stupid, because you can just go back to the store and return it for a working copy of the game.

 

[-Dragmire-]

ethical, totally.

 

[icyneesan]

Ethical but does that make it legal?

 

[Irridium]

You could just return the game for a replacement.

But if for some reason you can't, I don't see the problem.

 

[OutforEC]

Depends on the reason they can't take it back. If it's due to laziness or it's just 'inconvenient' then unjustified, if it's because the store won't take it back, then arguably justified.

 

[Android2137]

What? Why wouldn't the store take it back? They sold you a defective product! In my eyes, the issue here shouldn't be piracy. It should be getting them to reimburse you!

 

[TitanGear]

That subject can date back to the problems people had with old console emulators back in the early 2000's. They made a disclaimer stating it is illegal to possess ROM's of old games more than 24 hours unless you had the original cartridge. Assuming you keep the box and/or CD it came with There should not be a problem. You have the game itself just not the means to install it. But downloading it does come with its risks mind you, but ethical wise I'd say your in the clear IMO.

 

[KeyMaster45]

You could just return the game for a replacement.

But if for some reason you can't, I don't see the problem.

Well, I can think of a reason why you couldn't.

Back in 2005 I was building my first computer. My friends convinced me to pick up WoW and join them once I got it up and running. I went to Best Buy and picked up a copy because the parts were supposed to come in within the week...then they didn't. By the time they finally all arrived and the PC was set and ready to go I was past the return date. It was only then that I found out one of the installation discs was scratched.

So yeah, I got to pay for vanilla WoW twice because of that. Not saying it wasn't my fault for expecting my stuff to arrive without delay (because in retrospect I should have bought it after everything was set and ready to go) but I am saying it's one situation where you could find yourself with a scratched disc and no way to return it.

Another one would be a Christmas or Birthday present where whoever gave it to you bought it long enough in advance it was past the return date.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

Depends on the reason they can't take it back. If it's due to laziness or it's just 'inconvenient' then unjustified, if it's because the store won't take it back, then arguably justified.

If the store in question is in another state, then would it be justified?

 

[Life_Is_A_Mess]

Ethical enough to get it from pirating, yes.

 

[Hader]

Ethical perhaps, but still illegal.

 

[chiMmy]

Well, I own both diablo 2 and the expansion.. but I can't find my bloody d2-discs... so I pirate it because I know I own it.

Same with Wc3, but there I have both cdkeys in my TFT case for some reason.

 

[OutforEC]

Depends on the reason they can't take it back. If it's due to laziness or it's just 'inconvenient' then unjustified, if it's because the store won't take it back, then arguably justified.

If the store in question is in another state, then would it be justified?

To be totally honest up-front, I probably have a much more hardline stance against piracy than most people since to me it isn't some nebulous concept in cyberspace, it's a cold hard ***** that takes money from the pockets of those I care about. So if you're looking for approval, you'll likely not get it from me. However, everyone has their own morals and ethics and it is up to each individual to work within their own sense of right and wrong. If you think it's justified in a particular situation, I'm not going to argue to try to change your mind.

 

[Sepphyre]

You pay for a product, ye shall receive the product, by whatever means. The end story is the same... they get paid, you get product. So yes, ethical.

Captcha : eceds offer... almost makes sense.

 

[Jodah]

Well, I own both diablo 2 and the expansion.. but I can't find my bloody d2-discs... so I pirate it because I know I own it.

Same with Wc3, but there I have both cdkeys in my TFT case for some reason.

If you have the cd keys you can register them on the Blizzard website and get digital downloads.

OT: Ethical? Yes Legal? Not so much. It is further complicated by the fact that several publishers will either replace a damaged disk free of charge via mail or allow legal digital copies (such as Blizzard mentioned above, and Steam for many games).

 

[Bags159]

I'd argue that it's more right to pirate it than to go to the store and get a replacement. If you drive to the store then you're burning gas, slightly wearing out your car, etc. It's better for the environment to pirate it.

Now if you are in walking distance you might as well just spent 10 minutes and go exchange it.