Q: So If a company doesn't renew a license deal for a game is it still illegal to pirate the game?
In 2017 Activision didn't renew a licensing deal they had with Marvel so they had to take down all of their Marvel games they had published. So I wanted to know if it would still be illegal to download any of those games through a website even though there is no possible way to get those games anymore.
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A:
Whether a company has renewed a licensing deal or not, it is still illegal to pirate a game. The expiration of a licensing deal, such as the one between Activision and Marvel, affects the company's ability to sell or distribute the game, but it does not affect the copyright status of the game. Copyright law protects the rights of the copyright holder, and unauthorized downloading or distribution of copyrighted material is a violation of these laws.
Just because a game is no longer available for sale does not mean that the copyright has expired or that the game has become public domain. The act of downloading a game from a website without the permission of the copyright holder is considered piracy and is illegal.
If you're interested in a game that's no longer available for sale, it's important to look for legal alternatives. Sometimes games are re-released, or they may be available through legal second-hand channels. Remember, respecting copyright law is important to support the creators and the legal rights of those who produce and distribute digital content.
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