The difference between copying and cracks

[zulu9812]

No-CD cracks modify the game software, and are illegal under the license agreement.

Making a backup of a game is not illegal, and in some cases is the right of the consumer.

So, if someone wanted to know how to copy the Civ3 CD, would I be allowed to help him? If not, why not?

[Inverse Icarus]

yes, it's legal to copy your own CD for purposes of backing up / archiving / whatever. it's a hazy line and markos will say no to everything because he's markos.

[optimus2861]

^^ Note that in some countries (Australia, New Zealand, I think even the EU), the right to make a backup is explicitly stated within the law, meaning that a license agreement cannot override it.

But you're right -- clock's ticking, on when this gets closed.

[Dinner]

It's legal to make multiple copies for your own personal use. Not that this will matter here at 'poly.

[Solver]

And backup copy is legal as long as it's only used for purposes of, well, backup. As soon as you give/sell it to a friend, it's illegal.

[Dinner]

I could sell it as long as I delete all my copies and transfer all the original manuals and what not. Am I right?

[H Tower]

technically, yes.

markos believes in the slippery slope theory, once you are allowed to talk about legally copying a cd, people will begin to talk about how to copy the cd so they can give it to their best friend. better to just kill all talk of copying and leave it at that. no grey area makes it easier to moderate

[Inverse Icarus]

Originally posted by Oerdin
It's legal to make multiple copies for your own personal use. Not that this will matter here at 'poly.

with computer software, it's one copy, one machine, as stated in the licence. you can;t copy civ3 to play on multiple machines.

[MarkG]

/me at H Tower's explanation

when apolyton is the last site on the internet where discussions about copying game cd's for backup reasons can be possibly made, let me know. until then, there are sites(with servers in transylvania and huge disclaimers) exclusively devoted for that kind of stuff...

[Skanky Burns]

And these sites can discuss ways of getting around copy protection too.

But it seems fair enough not to have that discussion on 'Poly. I mean, who actually makes backup copies of their cd's, and why?

[Zoid]

zulu, there is PM and e-mail... Not to mention numerous other sites for this stuff, as Markos says... If you really want to know it´s not hard to find out

[Zoid]

Skanky are you stalking me?

[MrWhereItsAt]

You don't need Poly for cracks and suchlike - it's not hard to look for that sort of thing. This site is more about the freely available downloads (scenarios, maps, patches) and discussing the gameplay. I have seen little if any hardcore code discussions here, and modifying the game in such a non-conventional way (conventional would be through using scenario tools) is not what this site, IMO, is about. If we classify crack discussion as such a technical issue, then you shouldn't find it here.

Good thread, BTW.

[Tuberski]

All of what has been said is kind of funny, since I was told about the NoCD crack right here on good ole' Apolyton.

ACK!

[H Tower]

that just means the mods didn't catch you. it doesn't mean it was right. with this rule, markos remains in the clear, and he can point to evidence that he tries to enforce it, ming's always closing this kind of thread.