is it legal to torrent an iso for a game that is no longer selling?

[Paronomasia]

lets use system shock 2 for an example here, the game has been sold out for a few years now so the ONLY way to get them is to buy them from other people, which the company gets no profit from. so would it be legal to torrent this game and play it since there is no possible way to buy it from the company?

 

[Golden]

Hi,

I think the answer depends on whether the developer of the game has relinquished their rights to it, thereby making it freeware - but you are best off waiting for a more educated opinion from our more experienced members.

However, a word of caution...........are you 100% confident that the files constituting this game have not been engineered to contain malware? Many, but not all, torrent downloads, are a significant source of malware. My advice to you is avoid this.

Good luck,
Golden

 

[Paronomasia]

i am pretty confident in my security, and i usually download any torrents on a separate laptop which i format whenever i get a virus. how would i know if the site let the games be freeware?

 

[Golden]

Hi,

I suggest you check with the original developer.

Regards,
Golden

 

[Paronomasia]

ok il do that. what if they havent made it freeware, would i still be able to get it for free because the company would not make profit either way

 

[Golden]

No - if its not freeware, its not free.

 

[Paronomasia]

but i cant pay the company for the game after they released it

 

[Golden]

but i cant pay the company for the game after they released it

See Post #4 - you need to do your research. Only the developer can give you the answer to your question.

regards,
Golden

 

[Paronomasia]

is this coming from common sense or from some legal book?

 

[Brink]

Both.

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