Quick question about legality

[Slon]

I was wondering, if you purchase a game, but then download the full image for that game (for emulation purposes because mini-image didn't work and you don't have a burner, for example), is that still illegal or is it only illegal if you haven't purchased the game?

[Luciel]

I think it would be legal as theoretically, it's just a backup for your own.

[Grumpy]

Hmmm, I tend to disagree.
It is a technicality but you are entitled to create a backup of 'your own' game discs. If you download it then it would not technically be a backup of your own disc, it would be a backup of someone elses disc! Like I said it is a technicality.

Plus I dont think downloading games should be encouraged, it is better to learn how to do your own backups, even if this requires you to purchase the right hardware to do so. (meaning having the correct burner).

If you start the habit of downloading games then it could be very easy to fall into bad practices.

Thats just my interpretation of the laws etc.

[Slon]

Originally Posted by Grumpy

Hmmm, I tend to disagree.
It is a technicality but you are entitled to create a backup of 'your own' game discs. If you download it then it would not technically be a backup of your own disc, it would be a backup of someone elses disc! Like I said it is a technicality.

Plus I dont think downloading games should be encouraged, it is better to learn how to do your own backups, even if this requires you to purchase the right hardware to do so. (meaning having the correct burner).

If you start the habit of downloading games then it could be very easy to fall into bad practices.

Thats just my interpretation of the laws etc.

What about miniimages and fixed exes? Those are all legal, right?

Also, do you guys think companies should just do away with copy protection? CD-Key is already a simple and impenetrable protection from playing downloaded games online. CD protections, on the other hand, can either be cracked or are too intrusive/vulnerable to failing on legal copies (see StarForce).

[kyee7k]

Originally Posted by Grumpy

Hmmm, I tend to disagree.
It is a technicality but you are entitled to create a backup of 'your own' game discs. If you download it then it would not technically be a backup of your own disc, it would be a backup of someone elses disc! Like I said it is a technicality.

Plus I dont think downloading games should be encouraged, it is better to learn how to do your own backups, even if this requires you to purchase the right hardware to do so. (meaning having the correct burner).

If you start the habit of downloading games then it could be very easy to fall into bad practices.

Thats just my interpretation of the laws etc.

unless it's an official download from the company or reseller like newegg or direct2drive.

[Grumpy]

@kyee7k

unless it's an official download from the company or reseller like newegg or direct2drive.

Yes of course, but that is obvious!

@Slon

What about miniimages and fixed exes? Those are all legal, right?

Mini Images and fixed exe's are not the same as downloading a full version of someone else's game.
But it could be argued both ways if it is legal or not.

The original question here was:
"is it legal to download a copy of a game, to use as a backup, if you own an original version of it?"

I think the logical way to answer this question is to ask yourselves,
"Is it legal to copy your own game and then put it online for everyone else to download for free?"
Now the answer is obvious isnt it?

[Slon]

Originally Posted by Grumpy

@kyee7k

Yes of course, but that is obvious!

@Slon

Mini Images and fixed exe's are not the same as downloading a full version of someone else's game.
But it could be argued both ways if it is legal or not.

The original question here was:
"is it legal to download a copy of a game, to use as a backup, if you own an original version of it?"

I think the logical way to answer this question is to ask yourselves,
"Is it legal to copy your own game and then put it online for everyone else to download for free?"
Now the answer is obvious isnt it?

No, but last I read, dealing drugs provided a much more serious amount of jailtime than buying them.