Is it wrong to pirate a game you own 2 copies of?

[Ignorant Teacher]

It all comes down to this. IT IS ILLEGAL.

One could argue that laws vary from place to place. (Pirating is against the law where I am too, btw).

 

[fathertuck]

It's important to understand that when you buy a game you buy the RIGHTS TO USE that particular game. It doesn't matter how many copies you take for your own sake, or if you download a copy of the game from the internet. As long as you've purchased the original game at one time or another, you have the legal rights to use that game.

 

[TheWilltoAct]

As a mental health professional, I can tell you that that is not true. Soldiers, police officers, etc., almost always have issues as a result of taking a human life. Unless the person is a complete psychopath, there are always personal repercussions that sometimes last for years.

That is a sweeping generalization if I ever heard one. Yes, there are people who have issues with it but there are others who do not.

You just said nothing, Lem already tried to address the fact that there are indeed exceptions and as that is true for every rule I don't see that as a significant point.

 

[Rawrimabear]

This thread exploded while I've been working over the past 2 days. >_<

At any rate I called Firaxis and they said I can install the game using any method I please, as long as I use my CDkeys to activate it. It's my CDkeys that they sold me and the use of their software. They didn't sell me the code or the electrons in my computer. (The power company sold me those.)

As for pirating software, while I personally think it's not very nice to do; I also think that if someone does pirate something and if they like it, there's no reason not to then pay for it. Take a good band you like, but hate the record company. Go ahead and download the songs if you have to, but for the love of god buy some t-shirts or a hoodie or whatever! But remember that if you deprive someone your $16 sale then it adds to the chance that someone else will also do the same. It really comes down to personal choice and every individual action is more important than you might think.

It's like the whole save the planet thing, it really does come down to you. You're responsible for what is happening on a personal level. Save the world, save the economy, save the bands, save the developers.

Pirates are the reason that it costs so bloody much to buy software.

I don't know if I agree with that. My father said some of the first software he bought (before pirates!) was like $400! D: Pirates don't cause the game to cost more, it just makes investors less likely to put more money in upfront and to add more copyright protection resulting in lower quality games. Just in my opinion though.

So... thread closed? I don't want this to become a 30 page long discussion on something that the forum rules may prohibit. XD

 

[G-Max]

As a mental health professional, I can tell you that that is not true. Soldiers, police officers, etc., almost always have issues as a result of taking a human life. Unless the person is a complete psychopath, there are always personal repercussions that sometimes last for years.

It all comes down to this. IT IS ILLEGAL.

Only if you get caught

 

[mechaerik]

How is it moral to steal money from game developers (like myself)?
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What an unusual bot; it copys someones post (and apparently interprets signatures as part of the post) and appends links.

 

[Lemon Merchant]

That is a sweeping generalization if I ever heard one. Yes, there are people who have issues with it but there are others who do not. The fact is that people interpret, react to and rationalize behaviour in all sorts of ways. You might choose to professionally buy into the labeling of someone who does not have "issues" or repercussions" as a "complete psychopath" but that is a very artificial construct. In some cultures and subcultures, it would be considered problematic to have such issues. You or I might not be comfortable with that but it doesn't make us right or better. Finding absolutes in such a hugely contextual subject is virtually impossible and dangerous.

I will agree with the idea that the word "psychopath" has a pretty wide margin of interpretation, but beyond that, your post really doesn't make a good point, aside from making generalizations of your own. If you really want to debate the merits of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in soldiers and policemen (because that's what it is), and how it doesn't affect them, then please post your credentials, and make your argument.

I'll start. I've been a mental health nurse for 18 years, and a practicing therapist for more than 10. I hold undergraduate degrees in both Nursing and Psychology, and a Master's in Abnormal Psychology, and I am currently doing post Graduate work to complete my Ph.D.

Your turn...

 

[xarver]

I will agree with the idea that the word "psychopath" has a pretty wide margin of interpretation, but beyond that, your post really doesn't make a good point, aside from making generalizations of your own. If you really want to debate the merits of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in soldiers and policemen (because that's what it is), and how it doesn't affect them, then please post your credentials, and make your argument.

I'll start. I've been a mental health nurse for 18 years, and a practicing therapist for more than 10. I hold undergraduate degrees in both Nursing and Psychology, and a Master's in Abnormal Psychology, and I am currently doing post Graduate work to complete my Ph.D.

Your turn...

I think just because someone has tons of credentials it doesn't mean they can make generalizations about all individuals.

And think of it this way guys: There are millions (correct me if I'm wrong) of civ V copies being sold, yet only 5000 downloaders on the pirate bay.

It may be "wrong", but it's being done, and I know not a lot of people pay for every single piece of software. Windows + office + all your favorite games = tons of cash.
I also agree with Rawrimabear on his point.
And plus pirates aren't mean people who steal stuff and don't give anything to companies. They don't torrent everything on their computer, they buy some stuff, just not everything. And it is not "stealing" because there are an unlimited supply of copies.
Why can't companies just ignore piracy, and focus on making good software? Can't they be happy with the money they already have?

Also, things like DRM don't do anything but hurt actual buyers. *cough* Ubisoft *cough*
</rant>

 

[G-Max]

I'll start. I've been a mental health nurse for 18 years, and a practicing therapist for more than 10. I hold undergraduate degrees in both Nursing and Psychology, and a Master's in Abnormal Psychology, and I am currently doing post Graduate work to complete my Ph.D.

Your turn...

I divide my time between rocket science and brain surgery, and used to date Alyson Hannigan.

 

[TheWilltoAct]

xarver your post is filled with rationalizing and justifications and devoid of logic or reality.

I think just because someone has tons of credentials it doesn't mean they can make generalizations about all individuals.

A generalizing statement attacking generalization... hmmm.
Generalizations are a common way of expressing certain realities, an individual person is not so special that they defy categorization.

It may be "wrong", but it's being done, and I know not a lot of people pay for every single piece of software.

Where is your evidence?

Why can't companies just ignore piracy, and focus on making good software? Can't they be happy with the money they already have?

Companies = people, and they exist to make money.

And think of it this way guys: There are millions (correct me if I'm wrong) of civ V copies being sold, yet only 5000 downloaders on the pirate bay.

Yea think of it this way guys there are millions of peaceful citizens and only like 5000 murderers. How bad can murder be??

 

[Lemon Merchant]

I think just because someone has tons of credentials it doesn't mean they can make generalizations about all individuals.

Of course not. I was just pointing out that I might actually know something of what I'm saying. That's ok, this is an internet forum, sensible, intelligent discussion in short supply here, and making a valid point is, in itself, pointless. So fine, I'll put it in small words that everyone can understand:

"Oh yeah?"

How was that? General enough for you? I'll bet you couldn't tell I had credentials that time. Darn! I forgot the Wiki link.

I divide my time between rocket science and brain surgery, and used to date Alyson Hannigan.

If I was only single, I'd ask for her number.

 

[Skwink]

What an unusual bot; it copys someones post (and apparently interprets signatures as part of the post) and appends links.

These Indian Bots, still in BETA.

 

[G-Max]

If I was only single, I'd ask for her number.

Sorry, but I don't think she bats for your team.

 

[xarver]

A generalizing statement attacking generalization... hmmm.
Generalizations are a common way of expressing certain realities, an individual person is not so special that they defy categorization.

I am expressing an opinion? P:

Where is your evidence?

I didn't know I had to have evidence of who exactly I talk to and what people I see and what they are pirating.

Companies = people, and they exist to make money.

Of course but I'd rather have a non DRM restrictive game company making money and creating awesome products. Not some company (again *cough* ubisoft) making half-way-decent games trying to get a shy 10,000-20,000 or so potential customers when they've already got millions.

Yea think of it this way guys there are millions of peaceful citizens and only like 5000 murderers. How bad can murder be??

Do pirates kill people? I think not...
As I said before, they're not all take all what you want and don't give back type of people.

 

[xarver]

Of course not. I was just pointing out that I might actually know something of what I'm saying. That's ok, this is an internet forum, sensible, intelligent discussion in short supply here, and making a valid point is, in itself, pointless. So fine, I'll put it in small words that everyone can understand:

"Oh yeah?"

How was that? General enough for you? I'll bet you couldn't tell I had credentials that time. Darn! I forgot the Wiki link.

If your trying to make a point I don't see it. Just because someone doesn't have credentials doesn't mean they don't know what they're talking about.

EDIT: weird... I edited my post and it posted a new reply. anyone else have this problem?

 

[revengeofmakno]

I will agree with the idea that the word "psychopath" has a pretty wide margin of interpretation, but beyond that, your post really doesn't make a good point, aside from making generalizations of your own. If you really want to debate the merits of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in soldiers and policemen (because that's what it is), and how it doesn't affect them, then please post your credentials, and make your argument.

I'll start. I've been a mental health nurse for 18 years, and a practicing therapist for more than 10. I hold undergraduate degrees in both Nursing and Psychology, and a Master's in Abnormal Psychology, and I am currently doing post Graduate work to complete my Ph.D.

Your turn...

The least enjoyable thing I could think of is to get drawn into a long debate over PSTD which has little to do specifically with the original objection to a sweeping generalization that aggressively labeled a lot of human beings as psychopaths.

In fact, PTSD like a whole lot of "diagnostic" labels is an attempt to collect a number of behaviours, symptoms, reactions, etc into a conceptual umbrella/tool for the convenience of the professional. What happens all too frequently is that the tool becomes folded into simplistic labeling and some kind of a standard for normality.... "This kind of thing happened to someone, therefore they react according to this pattern or they must be a psychopath."

May heaven please preserve humanity from that particular plague.

There is a long history of such conceptual umbrellas and diagnostic frameworks being built up, popularized and then torn down and discarded. Now I could go on for several chapters of examples and discussions about how that happened and will happen (and the people who suffer along the way) but no, not here, not now.

Credentials? Who cares? However, since you seem to be value a thought and perhaps people themselves based on that, I can tell you that I have been doing and teaching research since the 1970s including 13 years of specifically teaching mental health professionals how to do it in their respective sub-fields and yes I have the string of degrees that one would expect.

In any case, if Rawrimabear called Firaxis and solved the situation to his satisfaction, great! Over and out of here!

 

[Pangaea]

Comparing downloading a piece of software with murder. That is really hilarious. Maybe they are Nazis too?

 

[TheWilltoAct]

You missed my point then. Whether something is morally right or wrong is judged independently of how many or how few people act on it.

In practice this is not always the case, still I think it would be funny to tell a judge not to punish you because you are in some minority for that particular crime.

 

[Lemon Merchant]

Sorry, but I don't think she bats for your team.

Give me half an hour...

 

[Jerrymander]

Comparing downloading a piece of software with murder. That is really hilarious. Maybe they are Nazis too?

They're both immoral and illegal. Why wouldn't they be compared?

I suppose you could argue that stealing is a lesser moral transgression than murder.