HL2 Piracy, legal for purchasers?

[geekpimpfx]

If HL2 get's leaked early, think it would be illegal to have it on your computer if you already pre-purchased via Steam, would my Steam account get banned? Sorry if this posted before, but I didn't find anything on it.

 

[ComradeBadger]

Yes it would be illegal.

So don't do it.

 

[FISKER_Q]

But on the flipside, if rumours are correct then it might get released prior or at the same time of a cracked release.

 

[geekpimpfx]

Why would it be illegal though, I mean if I already purchased it (which I most definitely have), then I own the rights to use the software on my computer, do I not?

 

[Gotter]

I believe that statement is true for early retail release. I have never heard of a release being affected by pirates, nor that should be affected by them.

 

[Reaperman]

Why would it be illegal though, I mean if I already purchased it (which I most definitely have), then I own the rights to use the software on my computer, do I not?

ya know... he has a point..


isnt it legal to download .mp3's from kazaa or whatever if you own the CD the song is on?

 

[FISKER_Q]

Why would it be illegal though, I mean if I already purchased it (which I most definitely have), then I own the rights to use the software on my computer, do I not?

Yes but you don't own the rights to alter the software, circumvent anti-piracy methods, or distribute it.

 

[blahblahblah]

Why would it be illegal though, I mean if I already purchased it (which I most definitely have), then I own the rights to use the software on my computer, do I not?

First of all, you don't own the rights to HL2, you own a license to HL2.

Until Valve Software officials releases HL2 (on November 16), it is illegal to have any other version of HL2. This is because you haven't actually purchased the license of HL2 yet, you only pre-ordered it.

[Edit]: 2 millenium's of posts baby :E

 

[BlackMesaDude]

I would not risk it.

 

[Ahnteis]

Besides, almost every current distribution system involves you also UPLOADING the files you download. (I know it's not EVERY--I said almost.)

You have 0 permission to redistribute HL2/etc.

 

[DeViouS]

I would not risk it.

ME NEITHER!!! Waiting 1 month is not worth getting your steam account disabled and you not being able to play it!!!!

 

[geekpimpfx]

Besides, almost every current distribution system involves you also UPLOADING the files you download. (I know it's not EVERY--I said almost.)

You have 0 permission to redistribute HL2/etc.

guess I didn't think about that, which makes total sense. I wouldn't risk it anyways, just kinda curious. I, like everyone else in the world, am dying to play this game

 

[Dirtball]

ya know... he has a point..


isnt it legal to download .mp3's from kazaa or whatever if you own the CD the song is on?

It is not illigal if you legally own the cd for songs

 

[Ahnteis]

It is not illigal if you legally own the cd for songs

Don't go there. It's very muddy water.

 

[Xeinon]

Well, here in Sweden it´s legel too download games and musik. But, VALVe deserves it´s 50$ for this, very good, piece of software.

 

[Sharrd]

No, downloading games isn't legal. Just that nobody cares.

 

[Homercidal]

Don't go there. It's very muddy water.

Fair use makes it legal. The problem is that too many people are downloading music that they don't own.

And, RIAA doesn't want it so easy to "share" music because they have no way of stopping the illegal downloads or differentiating from the legal downloads.

Personally I just quit buying CDs altogether. Except for a couple of must-haves, and I'll gladly buy from the discount rack where the price is where I think it ought to be.

I'd really like to be able to legally download new music provided I could play it on the MP3 Player of my choice, or on my computer. I should see if that is an option nowadays.

 

[PlayingMantis]

Someone from Valve please respond. A honest answer please.

 

[Yombi]

Someone from Valve please respond. A honest answer please.

Why? It's not legal, end of story

 

[Dirtball]

Don't go there. It's very muddy water.

It's not muddy at all...fair use makes it legal. Just as I can legally burn copies of the games I own. They cannot do anything to make it so I can't make copies of my games. Now it seems that they do with thigs likes safedisk...and realistically they do, and their have been some near misses for the industry due to the use of software like that, but so far courts have ruled it's to prevent distribution not legal backup copies, on the grounds that I don't HAVE to burn a copy I can simply mail off my broken disk to the company and they are obligated to supply me with a replacment copy.

 

[Ahnteis]

No - copying from your own CD is clearly legal. Copying from someone else's is legally muddy water. (Remember the old MP3.com?)

 

[bruce02]

why would you be worried to get your steam account banned? couldn't you just make a new steam account to play any pirated version? also, i'm sure they would crack any steam activation anyway.

 

[Sunlight]

I'm not sure we should be discussing piracy, (especially when it's directly related to the piracy of Half-Life 2) on these forums.