Is it stealing to pirate a game you own physicaly but cant install

[AmbitiousWorm]

If you are going to get copies off the internet just be aware that the company that made it would, most likely, consider what you are doing illegal.

What they consider illegal is not always the case. If it were, then every threatening e-mail you are forwarded by yout ISP after accessing a compromised tracker would be accompanied by a summons.

Starcraft II was supposedly the most pirated game of 2010.
You can 'Purchase' SCII, like my GOG example, by license only from battle.net, without ever actually receiving a physical 'copy' of it.
Nowhere in the EULA for Starcraft II does it say that my digital download must be obtained from blizzard/activision servers. In fact, considering that their download client is torrent based, even the 'official' downloader cannot be said to be operating purely from the official host. How accurate then can their statistics of people 'illegally' obtaining their game be said to be?

Likewise, most gamers familiar with SecuRom DRM will be familiar with being forced to crack their LEGALLY PURCHASED software in order to make it work properly. If the software is indeed licensed, not owned, as most eulas so smugly state, how is it then "Illegal" to seek to obtain a working copy of software I have obtained a legal license to operate?

but you are paying for one of what ever it is. If every time someone downloaded a free copy of a game/movie/whatever the company that made it got money it would not be illegal. They want to own and control the rights to their productions so they can make money off them. they don't care that you broke/lost it, they want you to buy another. By downloading it you didn't pay for the second one. That's all there is to it.

It is a grey area because it is easy to make copies. If it was just as easy to copy a truck we would be having the same discussion about car theft.

[snip cuz this ish is LOOOOONG]

[snip good call]

I hear ya. Its easily muddled. Ownership and right to use are inextricably tied when it comes to most physical things. You own your truck and are allowed to drive it. You don't own your (and technically I shouldn't even say "your" software, as its not possessed by you or me) software but are allowed to play it.

Focusing on your statement of just "I know it sounds stupid but that is why pirating is illegal. Isn't it?"

Pirating is illegal because it is still theft. Theft of licenses. Theft of licenses is loss of money that could otherwise be used to feed the families (heart string pull for the win) of developers and publishers.

For fear of sounding windy. Technically Ralf's acceptance of Herbert's (again, he doesn't own it) copy of software may not be piracy at all, because there is no license theft involved. Pirates traditionally take. Ralf isn't likely to be breaking any laws by receiving. And Herbert is giving.. So is this example even piracy? If it isn't, then is getting the file (but not a fake license) over the internet piracy?

Its confusing and hard to differentiate. If its hard for the average gamer (of which I consider both of us) to get it, imagine what its like for those who don't know much about the industry or hobby. Thus we get grey and confusing and a lot of spouting.

People like to use the word piracy because it sounds cool not because of its meaning, I think. We are getting way too deep for me as I am no expert on this.

Also I'm more of a below average gamer HA!

No more arguments? Well I'm bored, time to download some movies.

 

[Phyroxis]

If you are going to get copies off the internet just be aware that the company that made it would, most likely, consider what you are doing illegal.

What they consider illegal is not always the case. If it were, then every threatening e-mail you are forwarded by yout ISP after accessing a compromised tracker would be accompanied by a summons.

Starcraft II was supposedly the most pirated game of 2010.
You can 'Purchase' SCII, like my GOG example, by license only from battle.net, without ever actually receiving a physical 'copy' of it.
Nowhere in the EULA for Starcraft II does it say that my digital download must be obtained from blizzard/activision servers. In fact, considering that their download client is torrent based, even the 'official' downloader cannot be said to be operating purely from the official host. How accurate then can their statistics of people 'illegally' obtaining their game be said to be?

Likewise, most gamers familiar with SecuRom DRM will be familiar with being forced to crack their LEGALLY PURCHASED software in order to make it work properly. If the software is indeed licensed, not owned, as most eulas so smugly state, how is it then "Illegal" to seek to obtain a working copy of software I have obtained a legal license to operate?

but you are paying for one of what ever it is. If every time someone downloaded a free copy of a game/movie/whatever the company that made it got money it would not be illegal. They want to own and control the rights to their productions so they can make money off them. they don't care that you broke/lost it, they want you to buy another. By downloading it you didn't pay for the second one. That's all there is to it.

It is a grey area because it is easy to make copies. If it was just as easy to copy a truck we would be having the same discussion about car theft.

[snip cuz this ish is LOOOOONG]

[snip good call]

I hear ya. Its easily muddled. Ownership and right to use are inextricably tied when it comes to most physical things. You own your truck and are allowed to drive it. You don't own your (and technically I shouldn't even say "your" software, as its not possessed by you or me) software but are allowed to play it.

Focusing on your statement of just "I know it sounds stupid but that is why pirating is illegal. Isn't it?"

Pirating is illegal because it is still theft. Theft of licenses. Theft of licenses is loss of money that could otherwise be used to feed the families (heart string pull for the win) of developers and publishers.

For fear of sounding windy. Technically Ralf's acceptance of Herbert's (again, he doesn't own it) copy of software may not be piracy at all, because there is no license theft involved. Pirates traditionally take. Ralf isn't likely to be breaking any laws by receiving. And Herbert is giving.. So is this example even piracy? If it isn't, then is getting the file (but not a fake license) over the internet piracy?

Its confusing and hard to differentiate. If its hard for the average gamer (of which I consider both of us) to get it, imagine what its like for those who don't know much about the industry or hobby. Thus we get grey and confusing and a lot of spouting.

People like to use the word piracy because it sounds cool not because of its meaning, I think. We are getting way too deep for me as I am no expert on this.

Also I'm more of a below average gamer HA!

No more arguments? Well I'm bored, time to download some movies.

We could argue about the cuddliness of various animals?

Porcupine: cuddly.
Baby seal: not cuddly.

Go?

 

[Jaime_Wolf]

Is it illegal? Yes. Is it remotely immoral? No.

It's very, very definitely piracy by legal standards, but I think almost anyone would agree that those are pretty silly standards.

I've posted in this thread about 30+ times and then you come along and in one post make me any pretty much everyone else in here (on here? around here?) look stupid. By summing up everything on both sides perfectly.

So.......thanks?

Uh...what?

I just said that it's illegal (true) and that it seems like a pretty silly law (which is, at least to me, true).

 

[emeraldrafael]

By definition, yes. You're taking the copy thats not yours. Its kinda like saying your tv wont owrk, but since you bought one, its oka to take another with paying for it. Though not really.

Then agian, I dont see why not, but anyone can justify pirating if they really want to.

I would say it doesnt really matter, cause you payed for the game. It just screws up the numbers for companies and either overinflates/underinflates the market.

Though the question arises when either you dont return it and tell them the game doesnt work, or just get a disk drive that you can attach.

 

[AmbitiousWorm]

I bought a truck and it broke down so I stole another one from the dealer.

he didnt remove anyone elses ability to use the game and he paid for it. so maybe you should try not trolling for a few minutes. i know it hurts your brain but give it a try.

Calm down, hes not a troll.

My hero /swoon

 

[AmbitiousWorm]

If you are going to get copies off the internet just be aware that the company that made it would, most likely, consider what you are doing illegal.

What they consider illegal is not always the case. If it were, then every threatening e-mail you are forwarded by yout ISP after accessing a compromised tracker would be accompanied by a summons.

Starcraft II was supposedly the most pirated game of 2010.
You can 'Purchase' SCII, like my GOG example, by license only from battle.net, without ever actually receiving a physical 'copy' of it.
Nowhere in the EULA for Starcraft II does it say that my digital download must be obtained from blizzard/activision servers. In fact, considering that their download client is torrent based, even the 'official' downloader cannot be said to be operating purely from the official host. How accurate then can their statistics of people 'illegally' obtaining their game be said to be?

Likewise, most gamers familiar with SecuRom DRM will be familiar with being forced to crack their LEGALLY PURCHASED software in order to make it work properly. If the software is indeed licensed, not owned, as most eulas so smugly state, how is it then "Illegal" to seek to obtain a working copy of software I have obtained a legal license to operate?

but you are paying for one of what ever it is. If every time someone downloaded a free copy of a game/movie/whatever the company that made it got money it would not be illegal. They want to own and control the rights to their productions so they can make money off them. they don't care that you broke/lost it, they want you to buy another. By downloading it you didn't pay for the second one. That's all there is to it.

It is a grey area because it is easy to make copies. If it was just as easy to copy a truck we would be having the same discussion about car theft.

[snip cuz this ish is LOOOOONG]

[snip good call]

snip don't run with the scissors!

People like to use the word piracy because it sounds cool not because of its meaning, I think. We are getting way too deep for me as I am no expert on this.

Also I'm more of a below average gamer HA!

No more arguments? Well I'm bored, time to download some movies.

We could argue about the cuddliness of various animals?

Porcupine: cuddly.
Baby seal: not cuddly.

Go?

seals are cold and wet where as porcupines carry tooth picks with them. How long on this topic till lock down?

 

[Ruwrak]

As far as I know, by owning the game you're allowed to have backups, as long as you don't spread the content of said copy it's okay.

(at least here in the netherlands the laws state that downloading is not illegal per se, it's the uploading & spreading of copyrighted content that is strictly forbidden.

 

[AmbitiousWorm]

As far as I know, by owning the game you're allowed to have backups, as long as you don't spread the content of said copy it's okay.

(at least here in the netherlands the laws state that downloading is not illegal per se, it's the uploading & spreading of copyrighted content that is strictly forbidden.

Really? That is really interesting. What about the downloading of movies?

Also you guys make great chocolate.

 

[Ruwrak]

As far as I know, by owning the game you're allowed to have backups, as long as you don't spread the content of said copy it's okay.

(at least here in the netherlands the laws state that downloading is not illegal per se, it's the uploading & spreading of copyrighted content that is strictly forbidden.

Really? That is really interesting. What about the downloading of movies?

Also you guys make great chocolate.

We're not Belgium guv (nor are we germany, we are in between england and germany, above Belgium)

Well basically downloading is 'legal'-ish. The uploading is named to be strictly forbidden.
Though lately, this "Brein" foundation (fighting copyright things) got their poitn through in court (after a couple of tenfold tries) that software such as news & usergroups are just as guilty to supplying. Wich is kinda weird, as the law states that a product can not be held responsible for the cause it is used for (just like you can't sue a knife company for making murder weapons.)

 

[Timmibal]

That statement was a logical concession for the point of argument, nothing more. Good nit-picking, though.

Bow before my anal analysis of the obvious! BOW!

 

[Doffa]

I'll admit to doing it, for the exact same reasons as you. I don't consider it stealing because I already paid for it, I don't see why I should have to pay again just for the ability to use something I already own!

 

[Timmibal]

By definition, yes. You're taking the copy thats not yours. Its kinda like saying your tv wont owrk, but since you bought one, its oka to take another with paying for it. Though not really.

Differentiating between digital and physical mediums. You fail at it. There is no such thing as 'your copy' when dealing with a digital product, only the licence you have purchased to use it.

 

[LilGherkin]

I bought a truck and it broke down so I stole another one from the dealer.

I don't see why you had to steal the second one. You're insurance should be able to cover the basic repair cost, and if you recently bought it the dealer should have given you a decent warranty program that expires at a set date in time or at a set number of miles. But if you were driving without any form of insurance policy then shame on you for possibly breaking the law depending upon what state you live in (the state of New Hampshire does not require motorists to have an insurance policy) if your country of residency is the United States Of America.

On a related note you, Veldie, do fall into a legal gray zone. If you always want legal certainty in your actions you can feel free to contact the publisher of said game and send them an e-mail. If you choose to do the previously aforementioned action, maintain a "hypothetical" tone in which you don't admit that you have already technically pirated the game.

EDIT: If you feel very bold and want to be a martyr you can bring the issue to a court where you can set a statute regarding it.

 

[Mr Pantomime]

No, and even if it technically is, I think anti-pirate groups have are more occupied with people who havent bought the game at all.

Also, you could always make an iso and install it using daemon tools

 

[Vitor Goncalves]

It's legal. You bought the game. You can have as many copies as you want, created the way you want as long as you keep them for your personal use and you dont change the content of the game.

 

[asam92]

Thats called a backup (well kinda), im gonna say its ok.
The International law of gaming roms for SNES, GBA etc says that you can DL a rom and play on an emu if you you own the original copy. So if the internet law says its ok then I dont see why not. Piracy it aint matey, ARRR!!!

 

[MrGalactus]

What I would do is send an E-mail to the Developers explaining the situation and asking permission to pirate it, with a picture or something that proves that you have actually bought the game. Hopefully they'll be understanding.

 

[Vitor Goncalves]

I bought a truck and it broke down so I stole another one from the dealer.

I don't see why you had to steal the second one. You're insurance should be able to cover the basic repair cost, and if you recently bought it the dealer should have given you a decent warranty program that expires at a set date in time or at a set number of miles. But if you were driving without any form of insurance policy then shame on you for possibly breaking the law depending upon what state you live in (the state of New Hampshire does not require motorists to have an insurance policy) if your country of residency is the United States Of America.

On a related note you, Veldie, do fall into a legal gray zone. If you always want legal certainty in your actions you can feel free to contact the publisher of said game and send them an e-mail. If you choose to do the previously aforementioned action, maintain a "hypothetical" tone in which you don't admit that you have already technically pirated the game.

EDIT: If you feel very bold and want to be a martyr you can bring the issue to a court where you can set a statute regarding it.

And if you feel like a responsible martyr, why not read the entire EULA and license agreement that almost nobody reads? This is an issue that is often mentioned there, and the times I remember to see it, it always was considered as legal and acceptible by the company. Many developers even allow you to download further copies to reinstall the game from their own sites.