Are Ripped Games considered Pirated?

[Ra7eN]

Here is an interesting topic that at first seems obvious, but after you think about it for a minute....

Question: Is a ripped game considered piracy if shared?

If you remove cut scenes, various sound tracks, convert audio and video from its original state, what makes it different that someone producing a "cover" (music) on youtube for all to see and enjoy?

[Joe Forster/STA]

Originally Posted by Ra7eN

Question: Is a ripped game considered piracy if shared?

Yes, it is. Actually, we get DMCA cease-and-desist letters from (lawyers of) game publishers because some game material (mostly, still pictures) is contained in the DVD conversions. These DVD conversions are "fair use" but companies don't care: they're not required to and they're not punished for false accusations. So, please, be cautious with this topic!

[Ra7eN]

Hey, thanks for the heads up! I was just curious and definitely don't want to promote piracy. It's interesting to hear that even fair use DVD conversions can still result in DMCA cease-and-desist letters from game publishers. It's a shame that companies aren't required to care or punished for false accusations.

I was just thinking about how YouTube now allows covers, which are essentially a modification of a popular song, so it got me wondering if rearranging a game and repacking it falls under a similar category. But of course, I don't want to risk anything illegal. Thanks again for the warning and insight on this topic!

[Joe Forster/STA]

Originally Posted by Ra7eN

I was just thinking about how YouTube now allows covers, which are essentially a modification of a popular song

I think the reason for this is pretty simple: YouTube is in plain sight. They have to obey the laws - including those that they and their partners don't like - and if they don't obey them then they will be the target of, for sure, public uproar and, probably, legal prosecution. (But I might be mistaken.)

[Ra7eN]

It appears there is too much focus on the licenses, It is understood that YT , as well as movie, books etc.. requires permissions to "re-arrange" their works no matter how close to the original. But many are missing the spirit of the question and only focusing on the word "Pirated".

When it comes to the topic of copying and distributing media, such as music, movies, books, or games, it's important to consider the concept of intellectual property. While licenses do exist for certain types of media, it's worth noting that obtaining a license does not necessarily guarantee that people will purchase the original content. Additionally, the act of ripping and repacking a game is not fundamentally different from the practice of ripping and rearranging music or movies.

It's true that some people may be influenced to purchase the original work after experiencing a ripped version of it, but the reality is that many users may choose to stick with the ripped version. In some cases, this may be due to the fact that the ripped version, as maybe cut scenes, credits, and host of other aspects can be ripped, and now offers a unique take on the original content, much like how a cover song by a different artist can offer a fresh perspective on a classic tune.

However, it's also worth acknowledging that there is a potential loss of revenue for the original creators of the content. In some cases, people may enjoy a modified or ripped version of a piece of media and never seek out the original, resulting in a loss for the creator. This loss of intellectual property can be detrimental to the creators' ability to continue producing new content and can have long-term effects on their ability to make a living.

Ultimately, while licenses and legal agreements exist to regulate the distribution and use of intellectual property, it's up to individuals to consider the impact of their actions. While it may be tempting to modify or distribute media without proper authorization, it's important to recognize the potential consequences for both the creators and the broader media landscape as a whole. In the case of games, for example, a ripped or modified version may not offer the same level of enjoyment and may seek to purchase the original, for a much more fulfilling experience. This is something you will not likely see in other medias (except maybe movies).

In short, the issue of ripping and distributing media is a complex one that involves both legal and ethical considerations. While licenses and agreements do exist to regulate the distribution of intellectual property, that aspect completely negates the spirit of this question: Are ripped games really pirated since they are not in original form and like any another item, missing parts equal a not a working part and subject to failure ?

Also bear in mind, this is in a "off topic" chit chat area. and I think it makes for good "head scratching" topic when presented maturely.

[Joe Forster/STA]

Oh, there's nothing complex about this!

Authors (who create stuff from "nothing") give up most their rights to publishers (who sell already created stuff) because it's publishers that have the money to keep authors alive while they're creating their stuff. (You can't create a multi-million USD game alone, without financial support.) But then publishers rip off authors by 1) overpricing stuff and 2) keeping the vast majority of the profits. It's not us, users, who (possibly) rip off authors; it's publishers who rip off both authors and users.

Don't give in to capitalist propaganda! Most legal constructs (licenses, agreements) exist to protect capitalists, not everyday people. If they're legally allowed to do anything to increase their profits, they will do it, no ethics whatsoever. This includes lying about profit losses and using emotionally charged words like "stealing" and "piracy". Obviously, you can't even steal digital information because that would mean that the original owner loses one of his or her copies/instances of it; you can only duplicate or share it like ideas where the original owner keeps the copy/instance. Human society has always been based on such sharing (spoken language and writing was invented to help with it) but capitalists are piggy-backing the system for their own good. Some authors actually love their works being remixed - including being made fun of - under "fair use" rights as that proves that they made significant cultural impact.

So, please, feel free to do whatever you like to, just don't discuss it on this forum.