no-CD patches for games

[zulu9812]

Does Apolyton consider no-CD patches as part of warez and software piracy, i.e. are we allowed to mention it in the forums? It's just that anyone who wants a no-CD patch must be using a copy of the game with SafeDisk, i.e. they paid for the game. And one notable site that offers cracks (I'm sure you know which one I'm talking about) is legal and above board.

[Mercator]

I think they can be considered "legal"... Pretty much all illegally acquired games come with a no-CD patch applied already anyway, so anyone asking for a no-CD patch must have the game legally.

But I don't see how such a patch can be discussed in the first place? Especially if you're already assuming everyone knows where to get them anyway.

[Rasbelin]

I can't say what the official Poly administration policy is, but my personal policy is that anyone who wants to talk about "no-CD patches" on Poly may do so. I'm not going to start an arguement about that. If someone can't accept it, then I'm not going to feel sorry for that.

[Q Classic]

i personally don't care whether it's allowed or not...

i just think that all of these one-post newbies would do their own research on where to get such patches, no? i mean, google, or altavista, or what-have-you will all point to various sources...

[MarkG]

unauthorized no-CD patches are illegal. i dont think messing with the .exe of the game is something allowed in the user agreement you agreed to when you bought it. asking for them here is not allowed.

just because you have an original cd doesnt mean that you paid for it. especially when you have generous friends

[Solver]

Markos: not talking about the official site policy, these cracks are legal as long as you own the game. Go to that site we all know and read the disclaimer. It clearly shows under what circumstances it's legal to use the crack - as long as I do have and continue to have the original disk. Honsetly, I would use them even if illegal, because nothing bugs me more than having to insert a CD for playing .

[MarkG]

actually, they have a disclaimer about utilities that allow you to backup a cd. and of course you have the right to keep a backup of cd's that you bought

they do NOT have any kind of disclaimer for the use of no-cd patches

otherwise, please quote it

[Solver]

Hmm, why would anyone need an utility to copy? It's my experience that my burning software creates an identical copy, with all the protection there.

You are LEGALLY ALLOWED to make a personal backup of an Original Game CD as long as you are the owner of the Original Game CD.

Hmm, smells like a copy only disclaimer. But then again, license agreement prevents from reverse engineering and disassebling software, which is not done here.

[MarkG]

again, backups have NOTHING to do with no-cd patches

there is nothing legal about using a cracked version of the game .exe to avoid the game from searching for it's cd-rom

[Rasbelin]

Looks like we have a +1 arguement between two mods. Aren't your PC's already high enough? Or isn't it a setup?

[Locutus]

Originally posted by MarkG
i dont think messing with the .exe of the game is something allowed in the user agreement you agreed to when you bought it. asking for them here is not allowed.

Although for the most part I agree with you and with Apolyton's anti-piracy policy, what about the CtP1 v1.21 Hack then? How do you justify having that available for download here? It messes with the .exe as well but is seen as one of the most important fanmade files for CtP1... (and I'm sure there are similar files for Civ2 and perhaps even Civ3)

[MarkG]

the CTP1 v1.21 hack is on Apolyton with Activision's consent

[Solver]

Markos, that's still .exe messing. Now quote me the line of reverse agreement telling that ".exe messing" is not allowed, would you?

Oh, and really, what does Firaxis care if I have a CD in or not, if I paid for the game already ?

Then... many of the utilities could also be viewed as illegal. For instance, Gramphos's MultiTool messes with game files to modify them. My program to make Civ 3 run on 800x600 resolution uses a bug in Civ 3 code. Don't know about Grapmhos, but for instance, I emailed Firaxis before publishing my program.

[Level]

People from Firaxis have told people to get a no-cd patch from Infograms, that is the official patch and is legal, any others are most likely ilegal.

[MarkG]

Originally posted by Solver
Markos, that's still .exe messing. Now quote me the line of reverse agreement telling that ".exe messing" is not allowed, would you?

read the word "consent" again.
think about it