It seems that you're using an outdated browser. Some things may not work as they should (or don't work at all).
We suggest you upgrade newer and better browser like: Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer or Opera

×
Community
General discussion (archive)License question.(19 posts)(19 posts)
(19 posts)
Pages:
1
2
This is my favourite topic
Posted August 13, 2009
So, say a friend has bought retail copies of a game/games that are also on GOG. If said discs become damaged, or for some reason or another are unusable (lacking optical drive, for example).
Would it be ethical to provide them with a copy of the GOG version, since, technically, they are licensed to use the original content?
Personally, it seems it should be fine to me, but I'd like input from others.
Posted August 13, 2009
Though it's the same game, the content is wrapped up and possibly changed by GOG. And unless his PC/equivalent is in your house under your ownership, I'd imagine you'll be violating the agreement you have here.
ethics/morals are areas that lead to flaming debates on forums I want no part of :)
Posted August 13, 2009
The GOG version is different on a number of levels. The backup you're allowed to make must be from the same version you bought. You' d have to get a replacement disc from the manufacturer or from eBay. Whichever is cheaper.
Posted August 13, 2009
I'd have to say no but only just. If it was just the licence for the game then that'd be okay in my book but part of what we pay for is the compatibility work done by the GOG team so there's no pissing about getting the game to run.
Posted August 13, 2009
*obligatory i-am-not-a-lawyer disclaimer*
Legal? Probably not. Ethical? I don't see any problem with it.
Posted August 13, 2009
Short version: Don't do it. Let them signup for GOG.com and buy their own.
Let this be a lesson that they should backup their games or take better care of them. I recommend backing up every new game you get and only using the backup for installation, playing, etc. :)
Posted August 13, 2009
I guess letting them install from the GOG version would be an okay thing to do (ethically) but giving them any of the extras would not be. But, as far as the EULA for this site goes, you can't really let them install from the GOG installer either. And besides, if they really liked the game, surely they'd see the advantage in buying it again for themselves and supporting the company that makes such a purchase possible.
Posted August 13, 2009
If you think it's ethical, then it's ethical. I've been in such an argument before, and believe me, it will never end.
My opinion: if you want to do it, do it quietly. It's a matter of whether you think it's right or not, and if you can put it on your conscience (seriously no sarcasm intended), then okay go ahead.
Posted August 13, 2009
i get the sense that a lot of the people buying on GOG already have retail copies of the game... or did at one time. So if we all just shared a copy then it might not bode well for GOG... ;-)
Posted August 13, 2009
Even if they would provide a copy of the game, why not just support GOG?
They're pretty cheap, and plus you'd be supporting a great service.
Posted August 13, 2009
avatar
deoren: Short version: Don't do it. Let them signup for GOG.com and buy their own.
Let this be a lesson that they should backup their games or take better care of them. I recommend backing up every new game you get and only using the backup for installation, playing, etc. :)

That's part of the issue though. Due to the copy protection on a lot of games, making legitimate backups is quite nearly impossible without taking the risk of downloading some crack of a very disreputable site.
avatar
Aliasalpha: I'd have to say no but only just. If it was just the licence for the game then that'd be okay in my book but part of what we pay for is the compatibility work done by the GOG team so there's no pissing about getting the game to run.

If it's a game like UT2004, for example, which seems to contain nothing GOG-related, aside from the installer?
Post edited August 13, 2009 by LBartley
Posted August 14, 2009
Yea... if it's a really old game with modern compatibility issues, I personally don't mind to pay GOG 5.99/9.99 for the compatibility fixes alone.
Posted August 14, 2009
avatar
LBartley: If it's a game like UT2004, for example, which seems to contain nothing GOG-related, aside from the installer?

In case of UT2004 almost nothing had to be done. :) So from the ethical point of view this would be... unethical. That's because we also provide you with support, ability to download a game at your leisure (unless the publisher tells us to pull out something), fancy community, kwel site and the certainty that the game was properly tested and that it will work on XP/Vista 32/64bit. If you don't feel that we cna expect you and your friend to respect our work as well as IP rights... well... it's your choice.
We all know that it's my job to write something like that. I'm obliged to tell you that doing so would violate IP laws that exists in our countries and would make the whole thing a simple piracy and a theft. Morning today I've bought cigarettes. I had to because I'm a smoker and because I left the previous pack at home. And you know what? I've paid money for it. For me that's ethical. Someone had to work so I could get them and acquire cancer. ;]
Post edited August 14, 2009 by Tirpitz
Posted August 14, 2009
avatar
Tirpitz: Someone had to work so I could get them and acquire cancer. ;]

Yay for slow and painful death!
I don't smoke though, but I'm sure I can achieve it in some other way, if I felt like it.
Posted August 14, 2009
avatar
LBartley: That's part of the issue though. Due to the copy protection on a lot of games, making legitimate backups is quite nearly impossible without taking the risk of downloading some crack of a very disreputable site.

The issue doesn't come when you make the backup, but when you need to use it; making 1:1 copies is easy, but certain copy protection systems work in such a way that these copies usually show up as invalid anyway (due to the original discs deliberately violating CD/DVD standards in ways writeable media typically can't; a prominent side-effect of this technique is that certain drives won't even work with the original discs let alone the copies). As for the cracks themselves, there are certain well-known sites that only deal in "scene" cracks, so everything is clean.
Pages:
1
2
This is my favourite topic
Community
General discussion (archive)License question.(19 posts)(19 posts)
(19 posts)