No-CD (Piracy) Rule?

[WerBackIII]

^True. Most games have a no-CD patch in their pirate-version, and the games that don't have surely:

1) Don't need CD to play
2) Can be played via Virtual CD

 

[MAS]

I'm pretty sure Thunderfall just doesn't want this forum to become a hangout for individuals with a more questionable moral standard.
Those individuals could reflect negatively on this forum, and attract the praying eyes of various industry groups' legal departments, or at the very least their frowns.
With this simple and easy to enforce rule he stays clear of any potential trouble that could come from this.

It may not exactly be a forefront of bravery in the fight for our digital freedoms, but that isn't what this forum is meant to be anyway. It just needs to be a calm and stable place to discuss our favorite game.

 

[Troymk1]

To reply to an earlier poster.

It often seems that many regulations to 'stop' illegal activity only punish those who intend legal use/activity.

Another example would be immigration law, makes those doing the paperwork go through numerous and ridiculous hoops, yet the real targets are still just jumping a fence somewhere.

 

[IglooDame]

*wonders whether to drop a dime on Weasel Op and the others in that thread*

You would have to drop the dime on about 90% of the people on that thread. I assume that would be a lot of paperwork.

It's okay, the Staff Lounge has a photocopier right between the fridge and the banstick locker for that kind of stuff.

Naw, if for no other reason, I wouldn't hit it only because I figure if something has sat for a month with no reports on it and no mod noticing/taking action on it, it's past tense unless it's really way out there (and so far the two items of that type that have cropped up have been the fault of image-sharing websites and not the users themselves).

 

[.Shane.]

I'm pretty sure Thunderfall just doesn't want this forum to become a hangout for individuals with a more questionable moral standard.

ROFL, yeah, most people who want no-CD cracks are "of questionable moral character". You've bought into the pro-DRM BS pretty heavy. Do you work for the RIAA?

Seriously, seeing as no-CD cracks are something pirates laugh at, there's not gonna be a draw of seedy-types to this forum. I'd wager that if you polled the forum most players want a no-CD crack. Or do you prefer to have to put in your CD everytime you want to play? Indifferent, maybe, but prefer? No one in their right mind is going to prefer that.

The fact that the software is DRM crippled and requires me to, essentially, unlock it, EVERY TIME I want to play it is a joke. Even more so because when my CD gets so scratched that it is no longer is readable (which is a dead certainty in a house w/ 3 kids age 7 and under) then I'm screwed. And then what? I, a legitmate user and long-time supporter of the game (I've LEGALLY purchased every version of Civ), will most likely have to buy another copy.

So, DRM is ********. Its built on a flawed premised and backed-up by misunderstandings built so that its practitioners can continue to get us to suck it down.

Those individuals could reflect negatively on this forum, and attract the praying eyes of various industry groups' legal departments, or at the very least their frowns.

Now, me thinks, you're closer to the truth. CivFanatics has a "special" relationship w/ the developers of this game. We've all benefited from that as participants here. And, we're all very appreciative of it. So, if the real reason is simply that Firaxis frowns on it and, therefore, that jeopardizes the relationship, then just say so and I think we'd all understand.

With this simple and easy to enforce rule he stays clear of any potential trouble that could come from this.

And a rule allowing for no-CD cracks discussions-only would be just as easy to enforce since there's no real trouble that comes from it, there'd be nothing to worry about. Again, excepting that Firaxis would get it's panties in a wad.

It may not exactly be a forefront of bravery in the fight for our digital freedoms, but that isn't what this forum is meant to be anyway. It just needs to be a calm and stable place to discuss our favorite game.

And... allowing customers to play the games they paid for w/out inconveniences that are built on the premise that these same legitimate customers are thieves and crooks should NOT be the forefront. It should be a common level of respect that people who love a game as much as we do should be afforded.

The irony is, that if you let people here discuss it, given the talent and devotion you have on these forums people would make no-CD cracks that are harder for pirates to use.

 

[Padma]

So, DRM is ********. Its built on a flawed premised and backed-up by misunderstandings built so that its practitioners can continue to get us to suck it down.

You won't get any argument from me about that. My opinion of DRM is even worse.

That said, despite my personal feelings in the matter, pirating software is illegal. And we have no way to tell if a poster is merely exercising his right to use the software he has purchased, or if he is trying to circumvent purchasing the software altogether.

And, yes, allowing free discussion of no-cd cracks (piracy) would certainly impact on our "special relationship" with Firaxis. That is one reason we don't allow it, but not the only one.

 

[.Shane.]

Gonna re-arrange your comments so my rebuttal flows better.

You won't get any argument from me about that. My opinion of DRM is even worse.

Well, I was using my G-rated terminology.

And, yes, allowing free discussion of no-cd cracks (piracy) would certainly impact on our "special relationship" with Firaxis. That is one reason we don't allow it, but not the only one.

And, tbh, that's enough for me. I see this thread as more of a mental exercise and chance to educate because I don't see this rule changing.

That said, despite my personal feelings in the matter, pirating software is illegal. And we have no way to tell if a poster is merely exercising his right to use the software he has purchased, or if he is trying to circumvent purchasing the software altogether.

So what? Seriously. I mean, when someone downloads a mod or a wallpaper do you care if they're using that in a legal version of the game? Why are no-piracy cracks any different? As has been mentioned, pirated versions, by their nature, already account for this. So its not like you have pirates saying "Now I only need a no-CD crack to get this pirated version to work!" If you think you're facilitating piracy by allowing such discussions, then I'd politely argue that you've bought into the BS that the DRM advocates would like you to believe.

 

[MarineCorps]

It's okay, the Staff Lounge has a photocopier right between the fridge and the banstick locker for that kind of stuff.

Very usefull

Naw, if for no other reason, I wouldn't hit it only because I figure if something has sat for a month with no reports on it and no mod noticing/taking action on it, it's past tense unless it's really way out there (and so far the two items of that type that have cropped up have been the fault of image-sharing websites and not the users themselves).

I was suprised when no one cracked down on the thread when talk of the no cd crack came up.

ROFL, yeah, most people who want no-CD cracks are "of questionable moral character". You've bought into the pro-DRM BS pretty heavy. Do you work for the RIAA?

Part of the reason I have a No CD crack is that I play civ on my laptop and when I am on the road I like to converse power. Using a CD wastes a lot of power.

You won't get any argument from me about that. My opinion of DRM is even worse.

I seem to recall your rants on this before in the computer forum....

And, yes, allowing free discussion of no-cd cracks (piracy) would certainly impact on our "special relationship" with Firaxis. That is one reason we don't allow it, but not the only one.

Question: Would linking to a site where a mod is hosted that has the no cd crack included in the mods DL be against the forum rules?

 

[MAS]

ROFL, yeah, most people who want no-CD cracks are "of questionable moral character". You've bought into the pro-DRM BS pretty heavy. Do you work for the RIAA?

I'm not saying most people are like that, but even a few can appear like a lot.
All I'm saying is; Thunderfall probably just wants to make sure he doesn't have to deal with it.

I hate having to put the darn disk in the drive with a passion. Did you read my previous post? I said I don't care what that so called "agreement" said.

The only thing I wish would change is how the forum rule on this matter is formulated. The way it is now it automatically accuses everyone who asks for a no-cd-crack off piracy. It should be toned down, but then I'd be asking for political correctness. And that may be even more offending....

 

[Methos]

Question: Would linking to a site where a mod is hosted that has the no cd crack included in the mods DL be against the forum rules?

Posting links to .... program cracks (including no-CD crack)are not allowed on the forum.

Since the mod in question contains a no-CD crack, than it isn't allowed according to the [rules]forum rules[/rules].

 

[MarineCorps]

Since the mod in question contains a no-CD crack, than it isn't allowed according to the [rules]forum rules[/rules].

I would say that could be interperated as saying only direct links are banned Indirect links......

 

[kuukkeli]

It often seems that many regulations to 'stop' illegal activity only punish those who intend legal use/activity.

That is so true. There is something horribly wrong when, even in some cases, the illegal options work better than the legal ones or are safer to use. I don't understand what companies benefit from harassing their customers.

Two recent games that have 'it' right are Oblivion (requires DVD but it has no copy protection at all so you can play with a back-up) and Galactic Civilization II (online registration but nothing else - if you break your disk you can just download it from their server for re-install).

 

[gmaharriet]

I only know that I purchased the original vanilla Civ3 and then the Conquests disk a couple of months later.

When I purchased a brand new computer, I discovered that both my original disks had a couple of corrupt sectors and I couldn't install the game...I could play on my older machine, but not install on the new. So I bought a copy of Civ3 Complete.

When I purchased and installed Civ 4, my Complete Disk 1 became scratched during the process (my own fault for not making sure the C3 disk was flat before closing the drive door ), and I bought still another new copy of Civ3 Complete. How many new copies do I need to buy to prove I'm not stealing anything?

I've purchased Complete as gifts for several friends and family members as well, so I kinda feel like I've "earned" my way for a no-cd crack, but I don't have one. It's very frustrating.

 

[Newbunkle]

They need to do away with CD copy protection anyway, it only hurts the paying customer, and doesn't stop pirated versions coming out.

 

[WerBackIII]

Dan it, BioShock is a great game with Greedy Authors, danit!

Most people will understand

 

[Nobody]

I for one would really like a no cd patch, i just cant find my damn cd.

 

[Padma]

Caveat: I Am Not A Lawyer.

In my personal opinion, if you have purchased the game, using a no-cd crack is simply exercising your legal right to have a backup copy of the software you already purchased.

 

[Zelig]

Are CD-patches illegal (ie, do they break the end user agreement) if they are used by someone who has bought a legitimate copy of the game?

Probably depends on your contry of residence, and what the laws allow the EULA to define as legal.

 

[Aabraxan]

Perhaps I'm splitting hairs here, but . . . The question of what is legal is a separate question from what is allowed under the EULA. The EULA states what is permissible, but it's a question of what's permissible by contract or agreement of the parties. It's not law.

 

[Plexus]

I use a no-CD crack to play CivIV, which I purchased. Firaxis be damned if they have a problem with it, it's just more convenient for me.