Difference between revisions of "Copyright FAQ"

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==Game XY isn't being sold any more. Is it ok to download it?==
==Game XY isn't being sold any more. Is it ok to download it?==


Unless declared otherwise by the copyright holder, you are not allowed to get the game free of charge. You can find most games for purchase at [www.ebay.com eBay].
Unless declared otherwise by the copyright holder, you are not allowed to get the game free of charge. You can find most games for purchase at [http://www.ebay.com eBay].


==What about abandonware?==
==What about abandonware?==

Revision as of 20:20, 11 April 2006

This Copyright FAQ exists to clear up the legal situation of the games supported by ScummVM and to address common issues.

Why is copying/downloading of my favorite LucasArts game a problem?

Apart from the obvious (the game was written by people with commercial intent, they own it, so they can ask you not to get it for free) copying games also endangers the ScummVM project.

Game XY isn't being sold any more. Is it ok to download it?

Unless declared otherwise by the copyright holder, you are not allowed to get the game free of charge. You can find most games for purchase at eBay.

What about abandonware?

Abandonware is not a proper legal concept. Copyright of computer software seems to end after 70 years. Feel free to check back in 2060 if you're allowed to download the games then.

What am I allowed to download free of charge?

  • Beneath a Steel Sky
  • Flight of the Amazon Queen
  • video packs for Broken Sword 1 and Broken Sword 2
  • demos of copyrighted games
  • ScummVM itself, of course :)