Is it ok to download a game you already bought?

[noxnoctum]

If I lost my CDs or they got scratched of a game I bought a long time ago is it ok to download them? Obviously torrenting would be bad since you're uploading at the same time but what if I got it from just a download link on a website or something similar?

In a similar vein, what about music whose CDs got scratched or lost? I mean you're buying the license to the data with both games and music right, not the CD itself?

Finally, (this is a recent issue I had), I bought a game that refused to work on my computer for some reason, however with a cracked downloaded version it worked fine. Would it be illegal to download this version of the game that actually WORKS if the copy I bought does not? (And it's not because there's something wrong with the CDs themselves, it installed fine)

thanks

 

[Digitaldreamer7]

Morally - I believe yes as long as you use your original CD keys etc.
Legally - I have no idea.

 

[evilneko]

In a legal sense, even if you download it directly you probably could still be nailed for making an unauthorized copy.

 

[black_knight1337]

I'm pretty sure you have every right to download a copy of the game if you already own a copy of it. It's like emulators. Your allowed to download the roms as long as you already own the game.

 

[Fr]anc[is]

If you paid for it at some point, then go right ahead. Especially in that last case, because in a purely legal sense you'd probably be out of luck, but screw that make the game you paid for work however you can.

 

[Voulan]

I see no reason why you shouldn't, since you have paid for those games, and technically the developers aren't losing or making any extra money from the deal.

 

[Smooth Operator]

Legally no, but I'll never give you dirty looks for doing so, you payed for the product so if you need a replacement at noones expense I see no issue whatsoever.

 

[TrevHead]

morally its ok, but that might not stop the internet police from knocking. You could ask the publisher / licence holder if it ok

 

[Zorpheus]

So long as you can prove you own it when push comes to shove, I see no problem with it.

 

[Triangulon]

Whilst morally I would say you have a leg to stand on, the liklihood is that you will end up as another statistic used by publishers to promote their draconian DRM systems. I disagree with illegal downloads both because it is wrong, and because I believe it has contributed to the poor level of customre service recieved by paying consumers nowadays. Unfortunately even morally justified piracy has the same end result.

On another point, I symapthise, I really do having done the same thing many times, but maybe you should look after your games and cds better. I don't see that damaging or losing things entitles one to a free replacement.

 

[Jadak]

I love all the posts saying "morally it's okay", as if the moral validation of strangers on the internet is meaningful.

All that matters is the legality, in which case it probably isn't legal, but chances of anyone doing anything to you about are pretty slim, and even less likely if you can prove you own it if that unlikely situation ever arises. But if you're really concerned about the legal status, ask the company that owns the product, simple as that (most will likely say no, if for no other reason than to avoid promoting illegal sources)

If you are just seeking moral approval, quit it. Nobody here has an opinion worth a damn when it comes to what is morally okay to you. Check the laws if you care, do whatever the hell you want beyond that.

 

[Mr Pantomime]

It really doesn't matter. The problem of Piracy is that people download and play a game without buying it at all. You bought the game, so it doesn't matter to you, because you have paid your money and the developer has got that money.

So download the iso of this game, download 50 for all I care. All it is is an image of a disk that you already own. Which is prefectly legal, and more to the point, not really worth your time worrying about.

I don't see that damaging or losing things entitles one to a free replacement.

This isnt a replacement though. Theyre not stealing a new boxed edition of the game, theyre using a digital backup to play a game they own.

 

[JediMB]

I'm pretty sure you have every right to download a copy of the game if you already own a copy of it. It's like emulators. Your allowed to download the roms as long as you already own the game.

That's actually not true. You have no legal right to download a backup of someone else's game simply because you already own a legal copy of your own.

Some countries give you the right to make a backup of your own copy, but that doesn't extend to downloading it from someone else on the Internet.

EDIT: That said, laws don't always represent good morals. Oftentimes they simply represent corporate interests.

 

[ubersyanyde]

I'm pretty sure it's illegal to own a digital backup of any physical media you own, but no one will arrest you for it.

 

[paislyabmj]

moraly yes.i see no reason why not to.it is probably ilegal but realy,who gives a.i have a friend who bought a hard copy of civ 5.after upgrading he couldn't use the cd key again so he just torrented it.

 

[Da Orky Man]

I'm pretty sure it's illegal to own a digital backup of any physical media you own, but no one will arrest you for it.

Yes, it is legal, at least for games.

 

[Goofguy]

From a practical perspective, I see no issue in this. Short of buying the game a second time, and if none of your friends have a copy, how else are you to get it back?

 

[Triangulon]

It really doesn't matter. The problem of Piracy is that people download and play a game without buying it at all. You bought the game, so it doesn't matter to you, because you have paid your money and the developer has got that money.

So download the iso of this game, download 50 for all I care. All it is is an image of a disk that you already own. Which is prefectly legal, and more to the point, not really worth your time worrying about.

I don't see that damaging or losing things entitles one to a free replacement.

This isnt a replacement though. Theyre not stealing a new boxed edition of the game, theyre using a digital backup to play a game they own.

I didn't necessarily suggest they were stealing, however I believe that in this case it may qualify even if it was a digital version. If this was a free digital version released by the developer or publisher (either as standard or by request) then I would agree with you. If this was not available, and I had lost or broken my game or cd, I would expect to have to purchase a new version (either boxed or digital) and endevour to be more careful in the future just as if I had broken my computer.

I do accept that in the digital age this kind of situation requires a bit of thought to come up with an appropriate legal interpretation, particularly as companies are now stating that we do not own our software, only a licence to use it as long as they let us.

Finally, the problem is not just people downloading and not buying. It is downloading full stop. It may not be correct but people will look at evidence of downloading and scream piracy even if every individual then buys a retail version (which they certainly do not). This leads to even more restrictions on the rights of the paying customer.

 

[Creator002]

Considering that most companies' beef with piracy is lost sales, I say it's fine to download a pirated version of the game if you bought it and it doesn't work. The devs and publishers lose nothing.
Legally, probably a whole different story.

 

[Mr Pantomime]

It really doesn't matter. The problem of Piracy is that people download and play a game without buying it at all. You bought the game, so it doesn't matter to you, because you have paid your money and the developer has got that money.

So download the iso of this game, download 50 for all I care. All it is is an image of a disk that you already own. Which is prefectly legal, and more to the point, not really worth your time worrying about.

I don't see that damaging or losing things entitles one to a free replacement.

This isnt a replacement though. Theyre not stealing a new boxed edition of the game, theyre using a digital backup to play a game they own.

I didn't necessarily suggest they were stealing, however I believe that in this case it may qualify even if it was a digital version. If this was a free digital version released by the developer or publisher (either as standard or by request) then I would agree with you. If this was not available, and I had lost or broken my game or cd, I would expect to have to purchase a new version (either boxed or digital) and endevour to be more careful in the future just as if I had broken my computer.

I do accept that in the digital age this kind of situation requires a bit of thought to come up with an appropriate legal interpretation, particularly as companies are now stating that we do not own our software, only a licence to use it as long as they let us.

Finally, the problem is not just people downloading and not buying. It is downloading full stop. It may not be correct but people will look at evidence of downloading and scream piracy even if every individual then buys a retail version (which they certainly do not). This leads to even more restrictions on the rights of the paying customer.

Thats a reasonable way to look at it. I certainly dont agree, but as an industry, it needs to be decided whether I own a copy of a game and can do whatever I want to do with it, or if I own a license and can have as many copies as I want. It is legal, however, to back up a copy of any digital media you own, and I really dont see the difference between backing up my own copy and downloading someone elses copy, assuming I own the game/movie/cd.

As for that last paragraph, its not our job to restrict ourselves for fear of what a company might do. Rather than worrying about a comapny will do if you download a copy of a game, just stop buying from that company.