Kingkuma's download dilemma: a copyright problem
kingkuma
cancels Work: distracted by Dwarf Fortress Join Date: 2015-09-25 Member: 208137Members
cancels Work: distracted by Dwarf Fortress Join Date: 2015-09-25 Member: 208137Members
My question is as follows: If you own a game on CD - ROM, but it doesn't work due to being too old, is it piracy to download it and play it on your current computer?
Background: For about 50% of my life, my home computers ran Windows XP. There was a game, called D/Generation, that I played, but never beat. It was initally released for the Amiga, but was later sold for PC, like the CD I have. However, as I run Windows 10 now, it won't work. The licence on D/Generation is expired, but the software for the AMIGA still has licencing, and they do not want people using their software without buying it. As most copies online of D/Generation are the AMIGA version, if I download a copy of D/Generation, am I committing software piracy? I take pride in that I never pirate software, but I want to play this game again. Please advise.
Background: For about 50% of my life, my home computers ran Windows XP. There was a game, called D/Generation, that I played, but never beat. It was initally released for the Amiga, but was later sold for PC, like the CD I have. However, as I run Windows 10 now, it won't work. The licence on D/Generation is expired, but the software for the AMIGA still has licencing, and they do not want people using their software without buying it. As most copies online of D/Generation are the AMIGA version, if I download a copy of D/Generation, am I committing software piracy? I take pride in that I never pirate software, but I want to play this game again. Please advise.
Comments
I'm just glad we finally opted for mostly digital distribution with PC games, for this very reason. I've also had some trouble with my BF1942, GTA 3/Vice/SA/4 and Company of Heroes CD/DVD. Probably some more and did the same thing by getting a noCD version. For BF1942, it had an official tool, to revalidate your CDKEY for online play. While running the ISO image from a virtual CDplayer
However, do be careful and scan the shit out of the files with Spybot, Malwarebytes and your virusscanner at the very least and only download from "respected" uploaders
Just make sure you scan any "alternative ISO" you get, and try to get it from website that are actually popular, not just the first to pretend it have the file.
That would be like buying Subnautica for the Xbox and downloading it illegally for the PC because hey, you already paid for it.
But what you're talking about seems to be some obscure game that's probably available on some abandonware website. It's not on GOG, right? That's usually my first stop for old crap I want to play again.
Having said that, I recently grabbed Desperados for the extortionate price of $15 when drunk and immediately wished I'd just pirated it. Morally, I'd have no qualms with it.
You do have a point @EnglishInfidel, but your scenario isn't applicable here. He's simply replacing his busted CD/DVD, not changing platform or content server like Steam/Origin. I mean if that were the case, he wouldn't have the need to replace his busted medium as it's all digital distribution ey
How so
"If you own a game on CD - ROM, but it doesn't work due to being too old"
Makes me assume the CD itself is busted as in too scratched to read properly. I mean that is quite a common theme with these things.
Well... I mean, that really depends. I started my music collection on CD in the 1990s, and I've kept them all scratch-free.
"However, as I run Windows 10 now, it won't work"
Soooooooo, dammit @kingkuma git in here and clarify it a bit. Is your CD itself busted or is it because Windows 10 doesn't support your game. I mean, if the CD is still working, but the game doesn't work with Windows 10. You actually don't have to pirate it at all, there are ways to emulate older stuff. Heck maybe even "compatibility mode" would work
The thing is, audio CD's are somehow less susceptible to this from what I've seen, maybe it's the DPI density that's different for data vs audio track. The ones that are broken for me are scratch-free as well, however CDROM players can't read them at all anymore...
Did you all buy the license for the right to express opinion or think by yourself? Did you make sure you bought the extension for those to apply (separately) on this specific part of the internet and the real world?
Remembering a game or a movie is no different as having made an illegal copy of it in your brain.
So DON'T STEAL and go buy the copy right, this will cover the overcost the publisher suffer to remove the arbitrary limiter keeping you from duplicating data on your hardware using electricity you pay for.
Anyway, I just wanted an excuse to post this.
(now that's scary)
Alternatively, see if you can find a version to purchase that runs on Windows 10.
Scratch all that. Wait. Is this the game?
If so, my man, all you need is DOSBox, and a good frontend to keep you from losing your mind like it's 1989. So, D-Fend Reloaded, or DBGL. Or both, and then get rid of the ones you don't like as much. I think most of the frontends come with DOSBox already, but if not, you can nab the latest DOSBox from their website here. There's also a list of Frontends here
It's fine,it just can't run on the new os.
@kingkuma DOSBox then. Don't forget the frontend, unless you like playing with a virtual DOS computer to manually enter all of the appropriate settings in the DOS command prompt. If anyone was wondering, yes, it's possible to put Windows 3.1 on DOSBox, but takes a little effort. Google it if you want to know how.
This is called format shifting, and it's 100% legal under fair use in the US. I believe it's also legal under fair dealing in the UK, but there could be some differences there.
The perception that copyright gives total control over the power to copy is utterly false and seriously needs to be shut down. Copyright is a trade off, not a right.