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Not sure if there's a topic like it, but who cares. Anyway, I was just wondering about the advantages and disadvantages of having non-DRM games. Say I'm going to a friend's house, and I want to show him say, Colin McRae Rally 2005. So I put it on my thumb drive and walk softly. Is this regarded as OK? Or how about if I burn a disc of the game and lend it to a friend? Or even just letting him sign into my GOG account so he can download (or to use the pirate's parlance, "borrow") my copy of UT2K4 onto his system and play? Are these situations I've thought (believe me, there are way more) of OK? Just wondering.
I'd say that'd be okay only if there was an agreement that your mate would uninstall them after a week or so, plenty enough time to get a good demo of the real game (since some proper demos cherry pick the best parts and hide the bad ones) and determine if he has the interest to purchase it.
Loaning things is a bit different since there's still only one physical copy and can only be used in one machine at a time, you'd just be temporarily transferring the licence
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Aliasalpha: I'd say that'd be okay only if there was an agreement that your mate would uninstall them after a week or so, plenty enough time to get a good demo of the real game (since some proper demos cherry pick the best parts and hide the bad ones) and determine if he has the interest to purchase it.
Loaning things is a bit different since there's still only one physical copy and can only be used in one machine at a time, you'd just be temporarily transferring the licence

But what about borrowing my account for the game? And the whole week or so thing sounds a little too arbitrary for GOG's liking.
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michaelleung: Not sure if there's a topic like it, but who cares. Anyway, I was just wondering about the advantages and disadvantages of having non-DRM games. Say I'm going to a friend's house, and I want to show him say, Colin McRae Rally 2005. So I put it on my thumb drive and walk softly. Is this regarded as OK? Or how about if I burn a disc of the game and lend it to a friend? Or even just letting him sign into my GOG account so he can download (or to use the pirate's parlance, "borrow") my copy of UT2K4 onto his system and play? Are these situations I've thought (believe me, there are way more) of OK? Just wondering.

The advantage of non-DRM games is that it treats us like adults, and gives us the respect we'll be responsible enough to set boundaries as to how we use the privelege without ripping off copyright.
Which is why I think if you're not sure its okay, it probably isn't. It's possible to fashion a scenario where you delete your install, allow your friend to install, then re-install when he de-installs, but other than that, essentially you are copying the game for a friend who hasn't bought it. Your friend is welcome to come to your house, or you can take your laptop round, or he can download a demo from the internet. Anything else is the borderline. My own opinion of course...
Now, gog.com gives you, the user, the benefit of the doubt that you will behave appropriately within reasonable guidelines - that's one of the reasons I'd much rather give my money to them rather than steam or even bargain basement physical copies etc. which presume I will hand the game around my friends.
Having DRM or No-DRM doesn't really affect your rights to use the game. DRM is usually a way to (try to) enforce the terms of the license.
So even with games with no DRM there are still theoretical limits on what you can do (based on the law, or the EULA, or whatever).
Of course, without the DRM there are less headaches, and you can choose to ignore the license if you feel like it.
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soulgrindr: Of course, without the DRM there are less headaches, and you can choose to ignore the license if you feel like it.

But that would be violating your EULA, which you did agree to when you installed the game.
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soulgrindr: Of course, without the DRM there are less headaches, and you can choose to ignore the license if you feel like it.
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michaelleung: But that would be violating your EULA, which you did agree to when you installed the game.

Well get your cat to do it
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michaelleung: But that would be violating your EULA, which you did agree to when you installed the game.
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Aliasalpha: Well get your cat to do it

I KNEW somebody was going to say that. I don't have pets. I can't be trusted with animals, apparently.
Post edited February 20, 2009 by michaelleung
Sock puppet then? Call him Captain Buttoneyes and obey orders from him whenever anyone questions you about the eula.
In regards to the question of "loaning" your GOG login to a friend, I'd suggest you read the GOG Terms of Use. It doesn't specifically say you can't do that, but it does say that you are responsible for the legal use of your account. So, if you give a friend your login and they use it to download one of the games you have purchased and licensed, then you are violating the ToS, since giving a friend a copy of one of your licensed games is very likely a violation of that game's EULA.
Not to mention, soulgrindr is 100% correct. The lack of DRM does not change the fact that the software you got from GOG is only licensed to you and you alone. It just means that there aren't any mechanisms in place to prevent you from violating that agreement, other than your own conscience.
Post edited February 20, 2009 by cogadh
My view is that since one company has finally gone out on a limb and chosen not to treat me, the paying customer, like a criminal, I'll do my damnedest to live up to that trust. GOG's EULAs are the first I've ever actively wanted to uphold.
meh, if you want your friend to check out a game or service, have him check it out on your comp, or direct him to our handy dandy demo thread.
is $5.99 or $9.99 so much that you'd rather steal the game than buy it? I mean, the games are available WORLD WIDE.
There is no good reason to pirate GOG games. Anybody I've spoken to who's asked me for a copy, I said, just buy it.
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Aliasalpha: Sock puppet then? Call him Captain Buttoneyes and obey orders from him whenever anyone questions you about the eula.

But... is Captain Buttoneyes a pirate?
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Aliasalpha: Sock puppet then? Call him Captain Buttoneyes and obey orders from him whenever anyone questions you about the eula.
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Andy_Panthro: But... is Captain Buttoneyes a pirate?

That doesn't sound like the Captain Buttoneyes I know!
Why is it illegal (or at least wrong, but posts me make it out to be downright illegal) to loan a copy of a game to friends? I'm sure we've ALL done it with physical copies for years.
It doesn't really seem that different than lending a friend a book you've picked up, or a movie, or a CD, or...anything you own.