komplex Posted February 20, 2006 Report Share Posted February 20, 2006 (edited) Ok so after surfing around for info on where I can find a copy of one of my alltime favorite games (reunion).. I can across this site: *removed* now they offer FULL version games for download for FREE.. Im talking most of the classics... including X-COM... Can they do this? Edited February 20, 2006 by Slaughter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slaughter Posted February 20, 2006 Report Share Posted February 20, 2006 now they offer FULL version games for download for FREE.. Im talking most of the classics... including X-COM... Can they do this? Sadly no. The games they offer are so called abandonware, and that is not legal. You can't buy most of the games anymore, but unless they are released as freeware it is not legal to offer them for download. Only exception we make here is to link to the X-COM download at Fileplanet, because we doubt a large and respected site like this would offer illegal downloads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
komplex Posted February 20, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2006 Sadly no. The games they offer are so called abandonware, and that is not legal. You can't buy most of the games anymore, but unless they are released as freeware it is not legal to offer them for download. Only exception we make here is to link to the X-COM download at Fileplanet, because we doubt a large and respected site like this would offer illegal downloads. Hmmm well that kind of puts more of a question on the whole "software copyright" thing.. Ill have to serach around on the laws again.. maybe if a game doesn't hold an active copyright (just the rights, to the use of the name etc) and it can't be bought, maybe it can be released for shareware? ******** EDIT*******After doing some digging I found out that in the US, UK and much or Europe copyrighted code remains so FOREVER even if the company doesn't exist anymore... Abandonware sites just post the software in the hope that they don't get sued or discovered, by anyone holding the rights to the old game (since many title copyrights are bought up, and or acquired when purchasing an old software company)... After reading over a dozen sites offering info on the subject I have come to realize that unless File planet pays a nominal copyright usage fee or is associated with the rights holder then that download is also not legal (but as slaughter said they must have a deal cut, I don't think such a large company wouldn't "risk" it) *****END EDIT****** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slaughter Posted February 20, 2006 Report Share Posted February 20, 2006 Only if the brand owner decides to release it as freeware I believe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bomb Bloke Posted February 20, 2006 Report Share Posted February 20, 2006 IIRC, when asked about whether it was legal for them to post UFO, Fileplanet responded, "dunno". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slaughter Posted February 20, 2006 Report Share Posted February 20, 2006 Yeah, but they also intended to check. Since they didn't remove it, I assume the brand owner approved. That doesn't mean the abandonware sites aren't breaking the law however... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbes Posted February 22, 2006 Report Share Posted February 22, 2006 Yeah, but they also intended to check. Since they didn't remove it, I assume the brand owner approved. I also intend never to break a traffic law on my life. I hope the police officer assumes that when he pulls me over and is deciding whether to give me a ticket or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cronxs Posted March 28, 2006 Report Share Posted March 28, 2006 Hello Im new in Forums and I love this game so...Hi!!! Well I found this page where u can dll TFTD and Apocalypse for free... I bought all my games before I just lost the cds, I threw away my interceptor b/c i read there where no way to fix the game I wish someone could tell me how to dll it again I dont see why it is wrong If I have bought ot before... Im not postin the link to the page where u can dll the game in case admins dont want to... but If they allow me well PM me and Ill send you the link... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bomb Bloke Posted March 28, 2006 Report Share Posted March 28, 2006 It's all dependant on your state law, Cronxs, as to whether you can download it. Regardless we don't allow links on these forums. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cronxs Posted March 28, 2006 Report Share Posted March 28, 2006 Im in Mexico City so well Its legal almost everything lol I still want to get interceptor... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azrael Strife Posted March 28, 2006 Report Share Posted March 28, 2006 That's why he asked the link to be sent via PM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Strike Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 I would recommend for everyone to buy the games, don't download them. However, if you can't find them locally, try e-bay. The last resort, at all, should be downloading, and only until you own the actual games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snakeman Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 How does profit work for the publisher by buying a copy from e-bay? If the point is to support the people who made it I mean. They only benefit by the guy or gal who first bought it. I'd guess that to do that, you'd have to hope the publisher still has it in their catalog to order direct as the most proper alternative. Personally, I really wish they would. I think all games companies and license holders for older games should have a game nostalgia website ordering system in place just in principle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bomb Bloke Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 Many games have a "not for resale" thingy on them, but I've never seen this enforced, or even mentioned, in the real world. No idea why, as what you say is absolutely right. Unless you buy a first hand copy, you're as much good to the publishers as a game pirate or a non-buyer. That said... All my X-Com titles are second hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snakeman Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 Well my conscious is clear on the two X-COM titles I did buy at any rate, pts1 and 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spice-corps Posted December 29, 2006 Report Share Posted December 29, 2006 Ok so after surfing around for info on where I can find a copy of one of my alltime favorite games (reunion).. I can across this site: *removed* now they offer FULL version games for download for FREE.. Im talking most of the classics... including X-COM... Can they do this? hi slaughter, yoour link for download is removed, can u sent it to my yahoo acc? wismilak2001@yahoo.com thanx in front my friendRitchie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baby arm Posted December 29, 2006 Report Share Posted December 29, 2006 Hi Ritchie, The link has been moved here. Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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