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Is it ethical to pirate a game to try it, and buy a license later? (lemmus.org)

submitted 2 days ago by chungus_eater@lemmus.org to c/piracy@lemmy.dbzer0.com

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My issue is the license part. If I can't own the installer files then it really doesn't seem right anyways.

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[-] Lettuceeatlettuce@lemmy.ml 36 points 1 day ago* (last edited 22 hours ago)

Idk if this helps, but here's my general ethical approach:

If it's a small indie developer/studio. I always pay for the game, or at least, if I pirate the game, I buy the rough equivalent of their merch or make a donation if that's an option.

If it's a large studio/corpo game, I pirate it and don't shed a single tear. Same is true for all my music and visual media.

I support people and small groups that need the help and are creating great products and art. I think it is actually unethical to support giant corporations monetarily, so I do my best to minimize the amount of money they get from me, which for many years now has been pretty close to zero.

this post was submitted on 12 Oct 2026

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