is it legal to dl games??

**Mirec** · 11-30-2004,02:15 AM

Is it legal to dl a NTFS version of a game if you have a PAL version /the dvd is broken - there is no way that you can get them swapped for a new dvd of the same game - at least not in Slovakia/???

bladezero · 11-30-2004,09:25 AM

once that dvd is broken it is no longer valid for you to own a backup of that copy from any region

**DLM'** · 11-30-2004,05:22 PM

true dat.

but is it immoral...?

**omegatron** · 11-30-2004,06:20 PM

well thanks to clinton and the dmca you can only copy something you onw but like it was said above you dont onw it anymore ( who says everything has to legal)
have the stuff in the "scene" is considered illegal by someone

**poppa-smurf** · 12-02-2004,09:57 AM

Originally Posted by bladezero

once that dvd is broken it is no longer valid for you to own a backup of that copy from any region

Horseshit!! When you bought the game, you bought a licensen to that game, and it's not dependent on the physical disc. As such, you have rights in that license to the game.
Yes, I would say that DL'ing a NTSC version of a broken PAL game is fine. In true legal terms, it's a bit "grey", but in all honesty, this is a minor problem. DL the game, you own a valid license in the original.

Jesus, where are you people getting your copyright laws from? Directly from MPAA/RIAA/Sony/EA et. al. or is there some independent thought here?

**SephirothTNH** · 12-02-2004,11:42 AM

I agree with poppa-smurf. You bought a license to that game and can legaly download a copy of it. However dont throw away that disk as its phisical presence is the only proof of owning that licence. however since games are for sale and use only in the country it was originaly sold in I believe, that because of the region laws, it would be illegal to download a ntsc version if your license was for a pal version, and probably even be illegal if you owned the ntsc version. But I could be wrong on that last part.

On another note. Have you tried contacting the company that made the game. I don't know about ps2 companies but a friend of mine broke his diablo 2 cd and he contacted blizared, sent the broken cd and they sent him a new one, he also lost one of his flight sim 2002 and microsoft sent him three brand new discs.

**_zaphod_** · 12-02-2004,02:23 PM

The copyright laws are so screwey that is IS in fact ilegal to download a copy of a game unless specifically allowed to by the company. You see when the "backup" was put onto the net, then it became an infringing copy, and you cannot turn an infringing copy into a non infringing one BY ANY MEANS. Sad to say, but your scenario breaks the law. Yes, it sucks.

**romz** · 12-02-2004,02:50 PM

If you really aware of those copyrights ... Then try to find another law that will protect YOUR rights. It probably exists in your country or your state or even in your city. If it's so you'll can defend yourself as legal consumer if somebody will sue you.

**poppa-smurf** · 12-02-2004,03:28 PM

Originally Posted by _zaphod_

The copyright laws are so screwey that is IS in fact ilegal to download a copy of a game unless specifically allowed to by the company. You see when the "backup" was put onto the net, then it became an infringing copy, and you cannot turn an infringing copy into a non infringing one BY ANY MEANS. Sad to say, but your scenario breaks the law. Yes, it sucks.

Hmm, I wonder. I'm not sure. Let's say I bought GTA:San Andreas (which I did). I break my copy by accident. Now, I could request a replacement from Sony, (which was one of the main points why charlie_ps2/Messiah Team got in trouble, because Sony offered replacement discs). Or can I simply DL a byte for byte copy from the 'net.
Your rationale absolutely holds water if it were a tangible good - such as a TV, car etc - something stolen never becomes "un-stole", so to say.
Yes, the copy on the net was uploaded by someone who was an infringer, since only the copyright owner may make and distribute copies, so yes, the uploading of the game was in violation of US copyright law. But I don't know, nor do I think that you could be prosecuted for DL'ing a byte for byte copy of something to which you already have a valid license. What's the difference of you making a byte for byte copy of a game you own, using say DVD Decrypter, and you DL'ing the same image from the 'net. I don't think there's a difference.
I guess it all really depends on the license of the game.

**omegatron** · 12-02-2004,04:10 PM

i think clintom was on crack when he passed the dmca
you can copy an media that you own but you cannot bypass any encryption
( a little off topic but a little not)

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