C3C on a LAN with only one disc?

[Jaguar]

Just want to make sure that I can do this before I anger the copy-protection gods.


Could I install Civ and C3C on a second computer, and then play from one disc? If you take the disc out after the game starts, it will still run. So would I be right in saying that I could start the game on one PC, then take the disc out and start it on the other, thus enabling LAN play from one copy?

[Last Conformist]

That works. I've done it.

[Plotinus]

I suspect it's technically not legal, though, because when you buy software what you are technically buying is the right to run it on a single computer. That's why manuals always tell you that you need two copies of a game to play it on two computers, even when that doesn't appear to be true.

This is just on the basis of memories of Populous though, so perhaps it doesn't apply in these exciting days of LANs...

[Dauphin]

I've played LAN games with just one CD.

I don't see the legal difference between LAN play off of one CD and hotseat mode.

[Robert]

Why would it technically be illegal?
If one boughts civ3 and c3c, one can use it on all his computers I think. It's not a 'per computer licence system' like ie. windows.

[Gramphos]

The reason why it would be illeagal is if the licence (I don't remeber how the C3C one is formulated) restricts you from having the game installed (or loaded in memory (I've seen both types of licenses)) on more than one PC at a time.

On other hand I think that in some countries laws make it leagal, even if the licence says no, due to laws that grant you some permissions that no licens can take away.

[Robert]

does the civ3 / c3c licenses have this?

But: how are they going to check this?
If the guy who's going to control me rings my bell I pull the plug of one of my computer, and I'm only running one civ3 at the same time.

Conclusion: such a 'rule' would be laughable.

[Dauphin]

I recall Starcraft allowed LAN play by use of a clone version that allowed play without the CD - provided the LAN host had the CD in their drive. You couldn't play SP or any other form of MP with the clone version. This was useful because if you take the CD out the game stops, so you couldn't play LAN games without this setup.

In C3, as you don't need the CD once the game has started such a technical get around is not needed. A simple statement that LAN play is permitted is pretty simple. And as I say, why prevent LAN play if you could equally easily play Hotseat. All you are doing is inconveniencing* the players who have the good fortune to have two computers (or more) to play on rather than the one.

*well not really, because they will play over a network with one CD whether its legal or not - who's going to know?

[Robert]

one of the command & conquer games allowed to only login on multiplayer sessions without the cd.
Thus: login to another game: ok. single player / hosting a game: not ok.

that's the fair spirit, I think.