Back-up on multiply PCs, legal?

[soul_exchange]

Is it legal to buy a game, then apply a no-cd crack on a computer, then do the exact same thing to another computer?

In other words, can i install a single purchased game CD on to several computers? Is there a limit to the amount of computers i can do this to?

thanks

[DABhand]

No and Yes (1 machine)

[EMPiRE]

It is possible but it ain't legal to install a single game on more than one PC

So the answer would be: No

[DarkLeftos]

Actually, it's a matter of the company policy. Valve allows users to install HL2 on multiple systems, if of the same owner (home PC, work PC, personal PC on another home.) But allows only one instance of it running on all PCs.

So I guess it depends on the EULA of each game.

[SirMaverick]

You can find the answer to this question in most EULA's, to my knowledge and common sense, you can install a game you vobought on any computer you own. If you have a laptop you own and a desktop you own why couldn't you?

[tbaher]

Originally Posted by SirMaverick

If you have a laptop you own and a desktop you own why couldn't you?

Because game companies want you to purchase more copies of the game.
And so some (most IMO) EULAs say that you cannot install it on more than one PC.
So for example, it is illegal for me to install a single copy on my PC and laptop. One of the reasons is that because that allows (sometimes just allowing is a crime) me and my wife to play simultaneously.

This is a clear-cut issue in most instances. It gets sticky in other situations like the following:
Part 1: I own 2 copies of the game, I install copy#1 on PC and then copy#1 on the other PC. I put copy #2 away for safe keeping.
Part 2: (assume each PC has a different copy) Copy #1 is ruined and then I install Copy#2 on both PCs each with a different CDKEY. i.e. I use CDKEY#1 in the first PC and cdkey#2 in the second PC.

Messy eh?

[Grumpy]

@tbahar

Messy eh?

Yes, very! Good examples tho.