^ This

I used to waste a lot of time looking for full versions of games or the latest patches, and then trying to get them to work. Then, a lot of the time I would need the manual or other content that came in the box to complete the game, so there's more time searching. And I don't have a lot of free time for games as it is.

I like having the most complete version of a game, and GOG just makes everything so much easier and quicker by bundling everything together, with bonus content, in a convenient downloader. Plus, they're usually only $5.99. I used to be stingy, but honestly, anyone with even a half-decent job should be able to afford the occasional purchase at that price, or at least wait for a sale.

Technically copyright does expire, but in the U.S. IIRC the regular term is 95 years (some countries have shorter ones, but I don't think it's ever less than 50 years), so it will be a very long time before any computer games become public domain due to copyright expiration.

That's not for a long time though. Most countries have signed up to the Berne Convention which states that copyright lasts for the author's life + 50 years. After that it becomes public domain. As the OP states, "Abandonware" isn't a thing in most (any?) countries. But in any case calling a game "abandonware" when a publisher still sells it is just silly.

yeah pretty much. If I didn't like gog I wouldn't buy half as much stuff. I spend money here on stuff I probably wouldn't buy from somewhere else. it bothers me that developers probably don't see my money, instead just publishers. but in the case where some of the guys still work for the same company, I suppose they see something. I like gog so I get some stuff here.

I find this to be a very short-sighted line of reasoning. To make it short: Publishers were the ones who, for the most part, funded development even for these old games, and now by giving them your money, you clearly show them that people are still interested in this kind of gameplay, and give them pointers to make more of that. The industry is governed by money, just like any other - if you want it to develop on the desirable path, you need to put your money where your mouth is so to speak

Incidentally some have made the argument that games should become public domain (and therefore free) after 20 years. Though this would also have the effect that any Tom, Dick or Sally could make a Sonic or Wing Commander game, copy artwork, etc without worrying about being sued,

Whether this is a good or bad thing seems to be a matter of "intense" debate.

^ this.

For a clearer conscience, and to be eligible for support in case I have issues with the game (like missing music, FMV, updates or expansion packs in the ripped abandonware version).

For this very same reason, because GOG is preserving and resurrecting the games, too, but in a more reliable and stable (because legal) way, and I want to support to that. Also to be a legitimate owner of these games, and I guess to atone for past sins. And so that I don't have to bother setting up the emulators myself (although it doesn't always work that well with the DOSBox games, they often require a bit of tweaking nevertheless).

Last but not least, maybe also to prove the claims behind Abandonware right - that these games are only offered illegally because there is no legal distribution anymore, and that publishers shouldn't let their games die, if they don't want them to be distributed for free. Any 'Abandonware' site that still offers games after they have been re-released has lost their credibility IMO.

This.

And the other reasons, too (convenience, complete versions + goodies, you name it). I even bought some games here I've physically owned long before, either for convenience/goodies or because I owned the German version and prefer the English one.

I always get annoyed when people claim that GoG sells abandonware. If a game is on sale here, it (by definition) is not abandonware; the rights holder has signed a deal to sell the product.

Illegally downloading a game on sale here would be the same as downloading Watch Dogs or something like that.

Downloading abandonware is illegal in several countries anyway, you have to clearly distinguish it from freeware.
As soon as new contracts are made, it's not abandonware anymore though, that's because some abandonware-sites remove these from their download section and put a link to where you can buy it again in place.
Lots of Gogs games were abandonware at some point.

My reasons:

1. Because GOG will make it easier to for me to install and play. No need to configure this and that, find this manual and that.
2. Support GOG for wonderful service and hardwork in getting them ready-to-play and getting them into the catalogue.
3. I want to show there's a market for old games.

There's probably more.

I don't think they should be allowed to sell something if it no longer works. Like Vampire the Masquerade Bloodlines, the vanilla game doesn't work in the slightest. For all intents and purposes its abandonware, yet its still sold despite the fact that you need to implement community patches to keep it from crashing on startup. Its like selling broken cars at full price because you could get them fixed at a garage.