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As much as I love GoG and despise Legal-ese I find the GoG USer Agreement painfully vague, unclear and contradictory.

My main issue is I'd like to install my GoG games on to my children's computer for them to use, and do so with the absolute blessing of the GoG legal team.

The GUA has the often used but legally vague "Personal Use" clauses. Google it and you'll find yourself descending a rabbit hole with no clear definition. NO I didn't mean Fair Use.

There is also this often quoted, but actually vague FAQ answer

Can I enjoy my purchases both on my laptop and desktop computer at home?
Yes. We do not limit the number of installations or reinstallations, as long as you install your purchased games on computers in your household.
So I can install Witcher on my 7 year old sons computer, but he can't play it. Nor should he.... violent evil game. Being a responsible parent I'll install Rayman instead, but can he play it? Do I have to stand behind him for the duration?

I'd like a nice blue answer, even better would be an update to the Legal Agreements.


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mechmouse: So I can install Witcher on my 7 year old sons computer, but he can't play it. Nor should he....
Nonsense!

I let my daughter play Witcher all the time.

She loves it!
Yes, your son's computer is under your roof. He and it are part of your household. It's fine.
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mechmouse: As much as I love GoG and despise Legal-ese I find the GoG USer Agreement painfully vague, unclear and contradictory.

My main issue is I'd like to install my GoG games on to my children's computer for them to use, and do so with the absolute blessing of the GoG legal team.

The GUA has the often used but legally vague "Personal Use" clauses. Google it and you'll find yourself descending a rabbit hole with no clear definition. NO I didn't mean Fair Use.

There is also this often quoted, but actually vague FAQ answer

Can I enjoy my purchases both on my laptop and desktop computer at home?
Yes. We do not limit the number of installations or reinstallations, as long as you install your purchased games on computers in your household.
avatar
mechmouse: So I can install Witcher on my 7 year old sons computer, but he can't play it. Nor should he.... violent evil game. Being a responsible parent I'll install Rayman instead, but can he play it? Do I have to stand behind him for the duration?

I'd like a nice blue answer, even better would be an update to the Legal Agreements.
you would let your 7 year old son play the witcher????
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mechmouse: As much as I love GoG and despise Legal-ese I find the GoG USer Agreement painfully vague, unclear and contradictory.

My main issue is I'd like to install my GoG games on to my children's computer for them to use, and do so with the absolute blessing of the GoG legal team.

The GUA has the often used but legally vague "Personal Use" clauses. Google it and you'll find yourself descending a rabbit hole with no clear definition. NO I didn't mean Fair Use.

There is also this often quoted, but actually vague FAQ answer

Can I enjoy my purchases both on my laptop and desktop computer at home?
Yes. We do not limit the number of installations or reinstallations, as long as you install your purchased games on computers in your household.
avatar
mechmouse: So I can install Witcher on my 7 year old sons computer, but he can't play it. Nor should he.... violent evil game. Being a responsible parent I'll install Rayman instead, but can he play it? Do I have to stand behind him for the duration?

I'd like a nice blue answer, even better would be an update to the Legal Agreements.
The GOG staff have stated on numerous occasions that you can install GOG games on any machine in your household that you own. I believe the official analogy is along the lines of "so if you happen to have a render farm in your basement, you can break the world record for most legal installations of UT2004 under one roof".
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tinyE: ...

I let my daughter play Witcher all the time.

...
ahm .. its a joke, i hope!
Just let the kid play the game already!

Or at least share with him the enjoyment of installing and reinstalling a game, which GOG granted you so graciously.
I think a lot of the ambiguity has to do with the user.

Has anyone ever seen an ominous or questionable post from mechmouse? XD

I seriously doubt anyone at GOG would have any problems with him of all people putting his games on multiple systems.
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tinyE: ...

I let my daughter play Witcher all the time.

...
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apehater: ahm .. its a joke, i hope!
YEAH! I have kids! NOT

Man, can you imagine the terror of that! :O
Post edited November 16, 2015 by tinyE
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tinyE: I think a lot of the ambiguity has to do with the user.

Has anyone ever seen an ominous or questionable post from mechmouse? XD

I seriously doubt anyone at GOG would have any problems with him of all people putting his games on multiple systems.
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apehater: ahm .. its a joke, i hope!
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tinyE: YEAH! I have kids! NOT

Man, can you imagine the terror of that! :O
ok ok
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mechmouse: As much as I love GoG and despise Legal-ese I find the GoG USer Agreement painfully vague, unclear and contradictory.

My main issue is I'd like to install my GoG games on to my children's computer for them to use, and do so with the absolute blessing of the GoG legal team.

The GUA has the often used but legally vague "Personal Use" clauses. Google it and you'll find yourself descending a rabbit hole with no clear definition. NO I didn't mean Fair Use.

There is also this often quoted, but actually vague FAQ answer

So I can install Witcher on my 7 year old sons computer, but he can't play it. Nor should he.... violent evil game. Being a responsible parent I'll install Rayman instead, but can he play it? Do I have to stand behind him for the duration?

I'd like a nice blue answer, even better would be an update to the Legal Agreements.
avatar
Wishbone: The GOG staff have stated on numerous occasions that you can install GOG games on any machine in your household that you own. I believe the official analogy is along the lines of "so if you happen to have a render farm in your basement, you can break the world record for most legal installations of UT2004 under one roof".
Yes but me installing a game is not the same as some one else playing the game.
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tinyE: I think a lot of the ambiguity has to do with the user.

Has anyone ever seen an ominous or questionable post from mechmouse? XD

I seriously doubt anyone at GOG would have any problems with him of all people putting his games on multiple systems.
I don't doubt they wouldn't have an issue. But it would be nice to have a clear answer.
Post edited November 16, 2015 by mechmouse
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Wishbone: I believe the official analogy is along the lines of "so if you happen to have a render farm in your basement, you can break the world record for most legal installations of UT2004 under one roof".
I'm fairly certain it said "Fallout" until that game was removed.
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Wishbone: I believe the official analogy is along the lines of "so if you happen to have a render farm in your basement, you can break the world record for most legal installations of UT2004 under one roof".
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Maighstir: I'm fairly certain it said "Fallout" until that game was removed.
It now says witcher.... it is also the very clause I quoted in my OP.

As I said Install does not equal use.
You could have 30 installations of Office installed in a company but only 20 licences and not be breaking the law, as long as only 20 are used at any time.
I'd say you're good. And I'd be very surprised if you got an official reply stating the contrary.

Worst case, if it really bothers you that much, you could always buy some extra copies of certain games ( during a promo, ideally ). Whatever works for you.
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mechmouse: You could have 30 installations of Office installed in a company but only 20 licences and not be breaking the law, as long as only 20 are used at any time.
Not really. As long as those machines are functional, in case of an inspection, they would be checked as part of your company. If some illegal use of software is found on them, you are in trouble, including 10 of those licences, even if you have 20 on other computers.

Same goes with games. You will probably not hear an GOG official telling you that it's ok to give copies of your games to your family because you will be able to "trick" the system. You would throw an copy over an P2P site and you would say that you put that there in order for your kid to download and it was not your intention for other 200 people to take it. So, in order for them to be covered, they treat "personal use" as personal use. You own the rights to play that game, not your family.

In practice, let's be real. How is anyone gonna find out? You will call the authorities to denounce the illegal use of the copy by your kid? GOG will surely not have anything to object, but they are not gonna tell you that you can do that in their Terms. It's something minor, that we can all overlook.
Post edited November 16, 2015 by mindblast
1.2 If you're over 18, then welcome to GOG.com! If you're between 13 and 18 (or whatever is the age of adulthood in your country), before we extend an equally warm welcome, please ask your parent or guardian to review and approve this Agreement on your behalf (because in some countries people under a certain age cannot legally enter into contracts like this Agreement). Legally, children below 13 cannot have a GOG account (but their parents/guardians are welcome to sign up themselves). [my emphasis]
Source: http://www.gog.com/support/policies/gog_user_agreement

Since your son is too young to have an account, not to mention purchase any games, I think you can consider your account a parental one until he is 13 years old.
Post edited November 18, 2015 by Lemon_Curry