Torrent Question

[Melonman64]

Alright, so, you probably think this is another n00b question, but you are wrong. The other day I got torrents for some games I have because I wanted to run them on PC because I thought it would be cool. Well, I found some PC games that were torrents. Are these illegal? Thanks!

[Clements]

If these are commercial games, then it is as legal as going to your local game shop and stealing them off the shelves, obviously.

[Melonman64]

I figured that would probably be it, but maybe I will find a loophole. There has to be some sort of loophole somewhere.

[Allnatural]

No, no loopholes. Theft is theft.

[smcd]

Technically downloading movies, software, books, and music, etc. isn't theft, it's copyright infringement - a civil offense (just because you download something doesn't mean you would buy if you didn't download it - thus cannot consitute a loss in revenue, just a possible loss). Theft, taking physical items which can represent a monetary loss, is a criminal offense. The MPAA/RIAA would like you to get those confused though.

I don't condone such things *whistles* but lots of people download stuff as a "try before you buy." If you look at sales, lots of markets have either remained steady or even increased. (maybe if it didn't cost friggin $8 a movie ticket and another $12 for condiments they'd not have to worry with people downloading cammed versions of movies - stupid MPAA). I encourage you to support the developers, artists, writers, whatever the case may be - "if you like it, buy it."

< /end rant >

[Jaz]

If these are commercial games, then it is as legal as going to your local game shop and stealing them off the shelves, obviously.

Good one. Made me grin at least.

[Allnatural]

Technically downloading movies, software, books, and music, etc. isn't theft, it's copyright infringement - a civil offense

Thank you for the lesson in semantics.

[Melonman64]

well, that clears a few things up, but I guess this ends my use of torrents for games that are still sold

[smegforbrain]

Thank you for the lesson in semantics.

Well, it gave me a chuckle, but seth has a point: the groups out there are so trying to blur the issue of what is what, that most people don't know.

[Allnatural]

Well, it gave me a chuckle, but seth has a point: the groups out there are so trying to blur the issue of what is what, that most people don't know.

Yeah, it's the evolution of the old "you must delete this rom within 24 hours" crap.