just wondering if this is illegal...

BigSteve702

BigSteve702

New Member
im not sure if this would be counted as illegal or not. IM NOT ASKING HOW TO DO IT! (i already know how) just wondering if its legal.

so i BOUGHT call of duty: world at war months ago. i upgraded to windows 7 since, and today i finally decided i wanted to play some nazi zombies :) i get my game case, and realize the disc isnt in it. i have no idea where it went. BUT, i still have my serial key from purchase. i was wondering if its legal for me to download the disc image, and install it using my PURCHASED serial key. what do you think?
 
Dystopia

Dystopia

Active Member
Pretty sure its illegal. But morally....its legal, IMO. Just like, is it legal for me to buy a game WHERE IT DOES NOT SAY LIMITED INSTALLS/ONLINE ACTIVATION used, find out the key is used up, is it fine for me to download the game? IMO its fine, I just don't know if the law agrees :p
 
awildgoose

awildgoose

Active Member
I know it is probably different in the states but I know over here it's just about the CD key and if it's been used legally or not. So yea, in Aus at least (as far as I'm aware from reading different things, ian or buzz can you back me up on this?) it's the use of the key.

Not sure about the use of the DVD though, you might need to use that not sure.

Plus I'm not sure if this is allowed in forum rules either.
 
johnb35

johnb35

Administrator
Staff member
Technically, you paid for the license not the game. As all game cd's are the same, its not like a windows cd where there are different versions. Don't know if i would download it though unless its from the vendor themselves, as you don't know what else your going to get with it. I would just borrow a friends cd if they have the same game. Or maybe the vendor will send you a new game cd.
 
CrayonMuncher

CrayonMuncher

Active Member
i would probably say it is illegal you have to remember that whilst you download you would probably be uploading at the same time even if it is a small amount it would be counted as distributing copyrighted material.
 
BigSteve702

BigSteve702

New Member
johnb35 said:
Technically, you paid for the license not the game. As all game cd's are the same, its not like a windows cd where there are different versions. Don't know if i would download it though unless its from the vendor themselves, as you don't know what else your going to get with it. I would just borrow a friends cd if they have the same game. Or maybe the vendor will send you a new game cd.
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well with windows, you are purchasing the key, and the key only. the disc just comes with it :)

i dont think i can mention experiences ive had before, so i wont. but i want to lol

good idea. ill give them an email and see if there is a possibility to send me the disc. if not, ill use my own alternatives (like finding it? dont want to get in trouble here)
 
awildgoose

awildgoose

Active Member
What about the EA download manager or something? Can't you download that and then put the product in something and you can download the game legally?
Only used it for patches but I'm sure you can do it for games as well.
 
Aastii

Aastii

VIP Member
when you buy a piece of software you don't own the software, you just own the rights to use it (the key) and are given the media to use the software (the disc).

So because you own a key, it should be legal to do as you are saying in downloading a copy. But to be certain, read the EULA and also you may want to try and check on your state's/country's law on the matter.

Also, ensure when you are downloading that you aren't uploading...that is illegal because of what has been said about distributing media :p
 
ganzey

ganzey

banned
just go for it, plenty of people download games every day and dont get in trouble. since u have the key, i would say its legal
 
Lanther

Lanther

New Member
Had the same issue with Diablo 2 years back. Had the key but lost the disc. Called Blizzard tech support and they sent me a new disc. I had to pay shipping though :mad:
 
Aastii

Aastii

VIP Member
Lanther said:
Had the same issue with Diablo 2 years back. Had the key but lost the disc. Called Blizzard tech support and they sent me a new disc. I had to pay shipping though :mad:
Click to expand...

now you can just make a battle.net account, put in your key and iot binds the key to your bnet account. You can then download the game whenever you like from the bnet website. I have hasd to do this with WC3 because my RoC disc broke
 
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