A question relgarding posting download links

[Makai Goblin]

Okay, firstly, I assume that it's 100% okay to disguss the downloading of games from the website "Home of the Underdogs". When I last knew it was, at least.

Now, say a certain game avalable to be downloaded from Underdogs is being disgussed, and a certain goblin has been made curious about the game under disgussion.

Now, the game is rather sizable, and thus takes for-freakin'-ever to download from Underdogs (2.5 hours+ D: ) Bittorrent, even of legal things, is not an option for the goblin, as his ISP tends to get mad at it's clients using it at all from what he's heard (and he <3's his brodband!)

Would the curious goblin get in trouble for asking for an alternate and speedier download link for this game?

[StandingCow]

If the game is under copyright protection, yes.

[Noirceur]

I thought all games on that website are abandonware?

[StandingCow]

I thought all games on that website are abandonware?

Not aware of the site, if its all abandonware then it isn't copyright protected anymore and would be ok.

[Noirceur]

A categorized directory of hundreds of downloadable commercial and abandonware games that were undervalued in their time.
Looks like it's a combination of abandonware and commercial.

[CaptCommy]

Yeah, but if they provide a link, it's abandonware. So if gobbeh says there's a D/L link on HotU, then it's abandonware. Otherwise they post a link to a store on where to get it. It's a legit site.

[Makai Goblin]

Looks like it's a combination of abandonware and commercial.

Yes, but for commercial, they post a "You can buy it here" link, instead of a "Download it here" link.

And, as HOTU has this game as a download, I'll assume it's okay.

EDIT:

Example of a commercial game they cover = http://www.the-underdogs.info/game.php?id=4965

Example of an abandonware (released by publisher) game they cover = http://www.the-underdogs.info/game.php?id=116

[StandingCow]

From their FAQ:
"Home of the Underdogs, while not an abandonware site per se (since our aim is to pay tribute to all underdogs, both new and old), supports the abandonware idea. We believe that providing games that have been abandoned by their publishers, while technically illegal, is a valuable service to the gaming community because these games are in danger of disappearing into obscurity, and their copyright holders no longer derive any revenues from them. For more information on our stance on abandonware, please read this section of our FAQ."

So, if I am understanding correctly, they are doing something they know is technically illegal, to provide these games to people. Now while I agree that these companies should release them to the general public... if they are still under copyright, then it is illegal to download without paying.

[Somedude]

So, if I am understanding correctly, they are doing something they know is technically illegal, to provide these games to people. Now while I agree that these companies should release them to the general public... if they are still under copyright, then it is illegal to download without paying.

Problem being, a majority of the games are no longer being sold by their publishers and there are no legal retailers. In a lot of cases, the publishers have given their tacit support and in some cases, they've previously released their products in to the public domain themselves. In quite a few instances, the makers of the game no longer exist. While technically illegal, because the copyright has yet to run out, there's likely no other way to get some stuff. As I recall, they take down stuff if they get contacted by the publisher or get notified that the product is still on sale somewhere.

This stuff is kinda on a par with anime fansubs... Illegal, but useful enough to both sides that everyone just turns a blind eye to it in most cases.

[StandingCow]

Problem being, a majority of the games are no longer being sold by their publishers and there are no legal retailers. In a lot of cases, the publishers have given their tacit support and in some cases, they've previously released their products in to the public domain themselves. In quite a few instances, the makers of the game no longer exist. While technically illegal, because the copyright has yet to run out, there's likely no other way to get some stuff. As I recall, they take down stuff if they get contacted by the publisher or get notified that the product is still on sale somewhere.

This stuff is kinda on a par with anime fansubs... Illegal, but useful enough to both sides that everyone just turns a blind eye to it in most cases.

I'm not arguing on my own personal thoughts, I'm thinking of forum rules only.

[Makai Goblin]

Soooooo...

Should I edit my posts w/the links?

[SWATJester_os]

Going to make an executive decision here:

If you can download it directly from Underdogs, it is acceptable.

If it's a "buy this" link from underdogs and you cannot, do not discuss downloading it elsewhere.

[Makai Goblin]

Going to make an executive decision here:

If you can download it directly from Underdogs, it is acceptable.

If it's a "buy this" link from underdogs and you cannot, do not discuss downloading it elsewhere.

Thanks! :lincoln:

Maybe you should add this to the games subforum sticky (If ye ain't already)

[killerfluffy]

There's no need. He's simply restating that you cannot post download links to software thats still covered by copyright, in that nothing has changed.

[StandingCow]

w00t :D

[SWATJester_os]

There's no need. He's simply restating that you cannot post download links to software thats still covered by copyright, in that nothing has changed.

And distinguishing that with abandonware, since the copyright holder no longer exists and therefore cannot exert their copyright, we can make an exception for it. As far as we are concerned, abandonware is ok to download as long as it is 100% assured that the copyright holder is no longer in existence. This means that Abandonia or The Underdogs or a similar site has approved it as "abandonware".

[killerfluffy]

I coulda sworn Scav specifically mentioned that site in the rules thread.

[StandingCow]

Good call fluffy, its in bigdog's yes there are rules here deal with it thread:

"If you think something may be warez: Do a google search online, and see if it is freeware or shareware. If it is, you're ok. If not, do an abandonware search online, by going to www.theunderdogs.org and looking up the game. If it is available for download there, then it's ok. If it is listed as under IDSA copyright, or has a link to "Buy it!" on one of the other major abandonware sites, you CANNOT distribute it on the forums. Use common sense and if you don't know, ask a moderator/admin."