So once the game is installed all the installation files are still there, easy to find, and can simply be backed up and installed as many times as desirable? Or are they deleted once the installation is finished, requiring a person to know just how the installation process works, and snatch away the installation files at just the right time before they're spirited off to /dev/null. Again, what I'm talking about is honesty and the spirit of one's actions measuring up to the spirit of one's words; that a poorly implemented DRM system can be easily circumvented doesn't change any of this. Now, if GamersGate clearly describes how to back up installation files in their FAQ then I'll happily retract my statements.

+1
Assuming we use that definition of DRM, and assuming GG requires the user to authenticate before installing a game, then GG's practice qualifies as DRM.
But TBH, reading a digital distributor's help/support page ( http://www.gamersgate.com/info/faq-7-17 ) should be common practice for most of us. Sure, they mislabeled the game, but we still should know better.

Installation files (or at least, what GamersGate term as Temporary files) are deleted by default when you exit the launcher. You have to select the middle option to keep the files on exit.

No, I'm referring very specifically to the setup executable. Not every file. The setup executable is sometimes created only when you begin the installation process and deleted after. Meaning you have to download the full thing again and start the installation process before you can back it up in a reusable state.
Although personally I've only had this happen in one instance.

Except it isn't in the copyright holder's rights to infringe on the user's rights. The copyright holder's wishes don't matter, I can write a book, get it published, sell it, and tell people that everyone in their house needs a separate copy, they can't lend it to anyone, and they can't sell it, I can tell them this even though it is all lies, because they are legally entitled to do all these things, and in Canada where I live, all the same rules apply to software as books.
And interesting you mentioning ebooks, because those are not software, but are files, but being literature they still would fall into the same category as software.

But what you seemed to be suggesting is that if a copyright holder infringes on the rights of the end user then that is called DRM. Which is why it didn't make any sense.
That's what I meant. But how is the right to resale enforced with e-books? Is it even? Because if you had the right to resell them then there's nothing stopping you doing that multiple times.

Legally you have to get rid of every copy you make of a piece of literature after you sell it here, either by giving it to the buyer or destroying it immediately following the sale.

Well that makes sense. Thanks for clearing that up.

It's your option what you want to do with the Install files. Once the game is installed, the download/install app will give you the choice of deleting or archiving. That archive can then be moved wherever you want, along with the app.
And the fact that an Internet connection is required on initial install is explained in their FAQ.

Generally if you have to employ the term "technically" then it's a sign someone isn't being fully honest. This certainly seems to hold true in this case.
Thanks for the additional information. I do have a question, though: does reinstalling from that archive require any kind of internet connection (for games they label as DRM free), or can it be moved about and reinstalled as many times as desired with no internet connection ever needed again?

The GamersGate launcher requires an Internet connection so that you may log in and verify ownership. That then decrypts the setup.exe. As said countless times, if you make a copy of that exe, you will not require the GamersGate launcher, thus won't need to connect online). The DRM Free games themselves are not protected with DRM in the usual sense -- i.e., they don't install SecuROM or Tages, etc., during installation. But GamersGate do encrypt the setup.exe file for verification of ownership only.
Games that contain third party DRM however, also install SecuROM, etc., during the installation process after the initial launcher ownership verification. That's probably why they list them as DRM Free.

Another question, if you'll indulge me, as there are still a few things that I'm not entirely clear on. I understand that upon the initial download a connection to the GamersGate servers is required to decrypt the setup file, which then at least exists for some amount of time unencrypted on the drive. I also understand that at the end of the installation process there is an option to archive the installation files so they can be transferred about and the game reinstalled sometime in the future without needing to be redownloaded. The thing I'm still not entirely clear on is whether this archive that's created contains the unencrypted executable or the encrypted one- in other words upon reinstallation from the archive is any kind of connection to GamersGate's servers required? Sorry if I'm asking about things people feel have already been covered, but I just want to make sure no important details are being glossed over.

It contains the encrypted "launch" file. If you go that route, when you next install the game the launcher/downloader will prompt for your user name and password. It then connects to the GamersGate servers, verifies ownership and checks if you have the files locally or not. If you do it'll decrypt the "launch" file to the standard setup.exe.
That's why you need to copy that exe file while the setup dialog box is displayed (this will work 99% of the time) some times, the file is re-encrypted faster than you can copy it.

Thanks for the information. In light of that I'll stand by all of my previous statements on this matter.