are no-cd cracks illegal?

[radeon666]

hi this is like my second post i was wondering if no-cd cracks are illegal to people that already own the game legally. Like on Area 51 every time i have to go through the annoying process of having to put the disc on my cd drive just to play it! I could understand if it actually used the data on the disc but it doesn't! Like on Sim city 4 I tried to make an image and use a virtual drive but it still didn't work! It just really gets on my nerves. I just want to hear u guys' opinion on my question: Is it illegal to use no-cd cracks if you already legally own the game just to save time?

[RAZR]

Originally Posted by radeon666

hi this is like my second post i was wondering if no-cd cracks are illegal to people that already own the game legally. Like on Area 51 every time i have to go through the annoying process of having to put the disc on my cd drive just to play it! I could understand if it actually used the data on the disc but it doesn't! Like on Sim city 4 I tried to make an image and use a virtual drive but it still didn't work! It just really gets on my nerves. I just want to hear u guys' opinion on my question: Is it illegal to use no-cd cracks if you already legally own the game just to save time?

In my opinion, if the game include a cd-key, I have no problem with a no-cd program, because you bought the game, I mean you don't use a dvd to start CSS, that's useful. no-cd aren't illegal, a crack for a game that give you access to it without the cd-key is.

BTW we can't send you those kind of links here.

Google is your friend

[weaver]

no-cd cracks are not illegal if you have the CD media I believe.

[kapow]

To be honest, they probably violate some sort of terms of use somewhere, so on a very technical level, they probably are illegal. However, no one, no where, no time is ever gonna prosecute or even bother worrying about it.

[radeon666]

ok thanks for ur replyies

[Rufus]

It is also (technically) illegal for a company to install copy protection software on their discs, thus stopping you from making perfectly legal back-up of the software that you have purchased, which you are by law entitled to do.

If you own a piece of software and chose to use it using a no-cd crack then you are breaking no law, however using a keygen on a DL piece of software and using a no-cd crack is.

As long as you own the software it is your do use as you see fit, as long as you do not duplicate and distribute it.

Then of course if you sell that piece of software you must destroy your back-ups and remove from your machine.

[JK123]

Originally Posted by Rufus

It is also (technically) illegal for a company to install copy protection software on their discs, thus stopping you from making perfectly legal back-up of the software that you have purchased, which you are by law entitled to do.

This statement is incorrect.

Copyright law, in both the US and UK, allows under specific circumstances the creation of an archival copy of software. (this law does not apply to any other type of copyright material eg literature, music, movies which it is always illegal to copy for any reason unless you have the permission of the copy right owner, or belong to certain specific special groups)

It should be noted that you are not allowed to use this copy unless the original is no longer useable, similarly if you transfer the licence to another person (eg sell it), or the licence expires, then the archival copy must also be transferred or destroyed.

for further information on US copyright law see
U.S. Copyright Office - Copyright and Digital Files

for further information on UK copyright law see
P-01: UK Copyright Law fact sheet

Whilst making an archival copy is permitted, it is allowable for a company to build copy prevention mechanisms into their products, as they can comply with regulations by offering to replace defective media. Bear in mind that you never own the software, just a licence to use it.

A lot of people erroneously believe copy prevention software is illegal because of the trouble Sony BMG got into for some of its attempts to prevent copying of audio CDs. They got into trouble because of several aspects of the way the copy protection worked not that it was there at all.

Specifically it installed a program silently without permission as soon as the copy protected audio cd was inserted in a pc, also the EULA made no mention of the questionable software and finally there was no uninstaller available for the software. These three things are illegal in many countries and it was this that led to a variety of legal actions being taken against Sony BMG

[deathscythe04]

i have to agree with weaver jk123 and rufus you are legally permitted to make a back up of your possessions as long as they are not used to make money or fraud the company(s) of money that they would get if someone bought it.

[kapow]

This has gotten serious. internet is serious business.

[NyxSavage]

CD Cracks may be legal but have fun with all the viruses it comes with. Had it happen and i never will d/l or take one from the internet again.