Even an authorized upload would be illegal to play without a valid CD key.
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HIVE
Footman16
pyf
Yes, but I was not talking about CD-Keys in the first place.
Footman16
Then I fail to see what that has to do with anything and why you took particular issue with what I said.
pyf
You have written that THW does not endorse pirating games as that is illegal. You have added that downloading older versions is fine. I have pointed out that copyright infringement is the issue to be considered, and especially the unauthorized redistribution of copyrighted Intellectual Property. Retera has said that he is not aware of the Hive having such a redistribution licence, for some of Blizzard's IP
pyf
(cont'd)
Last year, I have asked in a Profile Post comment on the Owner's Profile, to read any written authorization given by Blizzard for THW to redistribute / link to full versions of WC3, which are available from this thread:
https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/wc3-download-archive-1-00-1-31-1-beta-demo.326836/
... and I am still waiting.
This archival thread is a great idea, and at first I supported it. But at some point I came to realize that this great project was slowly turning into something else. When the thread starter began to add links to GameCopyWorld (GCW), I became extremely worried for the future of THW and the fines that might ensue. I therefore have written this on the Owner's profile:
https://www.hiveworkshop.com/profile-posts/674260/
Last year, I have asked in a Profile Post comment on the Owner's Profile, to read any written authorization given by Blizzard for THW to redistribute / link to full versions of WC3, which are available from this thread:
https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/wc3-download-archive-1-00-1-31-1-beta-demo.326836/
... and I am still waiting.
This archival thread is a great idea, and at first I supported it. But at some point I came to realize that this great project was slowly turning into something else. When the thread starter began to add links to GameCopyWorld (GCW), I became extremely worried for the future of THW and the fines that might ensue. I therefore have written this on the Owner's profile:
https://www.hiveworkshop.com/profile-posts/674260/
pyf
(cont'd)
In this discussion, the thread starter and maintainer of the Archive has written that he did not want to discuss the legality of the thread, and soon afterwards he has deleted his only Profile post comment there. This maintainer has expressed a few times that he does not take responsibiility for his actions. This archive is imho not to be blindly trusted even though there are some very good things 100% legal in it.
I hope this maintainer will wise up and will fix what imho still has to be fixed in his Archive thread.
In this discussion, the thread starter and maintainer of the Archive has written that he did not want to discuss the legality of the thread, and soon afterwards he has deleted his only Profile post comment there. This maintainer has expressed a few times that he does not take responsibiility for his actions. This archive is imho not to be blindly trusted even though there are some very good things 100% legal in it.
I hope this maintainer will wise up and will fix what imho still has to be fixed in his Archive thread.
Footman16
You keep mentioning copyright infringement but I don't think you actually know what that means or entails. Although it is a complicated issue and I'm not an expert on it.
HOWEVER, unless Blizz does issue a cease and desist order to the Hive or any of its users to stop sharing these old versions then there is no copyright infringement. Indeed since Blizzard hasn't in the months these posts have been up and available and presumably known to Blizzard then tacit approval has been given. A judge would argue that since Blizzard has (potentially) waited so long to see about taking these links down etc then they have no place to argue. This, I do know for a fact. Until Blizz contacts the Hive, no one is at any risk of fines of any kind, they would have to issue a cease and desist order first.
HOWEVER, unless Blizz does issue a cease and desist order to the Hive or any of its users to stop sharing these old versions then there is no copyright infringement. Indeed since Blizzard hasn't in the months these posts have been up and available and presumably known to Blizzard then tacit approval has been given. A judge would argue that since Blizzard has (potentially) waited so long to see about taking these links down etc then they have no place to argue. This, I do know for a fact. Until Blizz contacts the Hive, no one is at any risk of fines of any kind, they would have to issue a cease and desist order first.
Footman16
THEREFORE, the only issue here is own the Hive's own policy towards piracy and the discussion of it, which directly relates to CD keys since a CD key is necessary to play the game. Hence why that's all I was talking about and why your issue I find completely irrelevant and tangential here. If you have a personal issue with people posting older versions on Hive, cool, more power to your elbow and make an issue of it. But that's got absolutely nothing to do with me or what I was talking about.
pyf
Rule #10 is about any discussions about illegal activities/products, and includes piracy and drugs but not only. Therefore, that includes unauthorized redistribution of copyrighted material / IP.
Because you think I do not know what Copyright Infringement means or entails (even though I have linked to information about it), I am therefore summoning @Maxwell from our Copyright Protection thread
https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/copyright-protection.303708/
so he can drop a line here on the subject in an informal and friendly way, and maybe enlighten me on the subject. Maxwell can feel free to contact Blizzard Legal beforehand (and in fact I am encouraging him to do so)
- https://www.blizzard.com/en-us/legal/
- https://www.blizzard.com/en-us/legal/0f4d7809-ac0c-453c-a28b-003d77aac798/copyright-infringement-notice
Because you think I do not know what Copyright Infringement means or entails (even though I have linked to information about it), I am therefore summoning @Maxwell from our Copyright Protection thread
https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/copyright-protection.303708/
so he can drop a line here on the subject in an informal and friendly way, and maybe enlighten me on the subject. Maxwell can feel free to contact Blizzard Legal beforehand (and in fact I am encouraging him to do so)
- https://www.blizzard.com/en-us/legal/
- https://www.blizzard.com/en-us/legal/0f4d7809-ac0c-453c-a28b-003d77aac798/copyright-infringement-notice
pyf
(cont'd)
Of course I can feel free to contact Blizzard Legal myself, but I want to hear Maxwell first.
Oh, and speaking of CD keys, I suspect that at least one of the archives of the full games still comes with such CD-Keys.
Saying that there is no copyright infringement as long as Blizzard does not issue a cease and desist order to the Hive or any of its users to stop sharing these old versions, is a logical fallacy. Tacit approval (if such a thing is indeed the case) is not the same as being granted official approval by signing written legal agreements.
@Maxwell please? What do you think of the argumentation of Footman16, if I may ask?
Of course I can feel free to contact Blizzard Legal myself, but I want to hear Maxwell first.
Oh, and speaking of CD keys, I suspect that at least one of the archives of the full games still comes with such CD-Keys.
Saying that there is no copyright infringement as long as Blizzard does not issue a cease and desist order to the Hive or any of its users to stop sharing these old versions, is a logical fallacy. Tacit approval (if such a thing is indeed the case) is not the same as being granted official approval by signing written legal agreements.
@Maxwell please? What do you think of the argumentation of Footman16, if I may ask?