Reading the instructions, no, it’s not. It was given away for free by Eidos and no longer is. Unless they granted distribution rights to someone back in the day then whoever is distributing the files is doing so illegally.
I don’t really care, I just find it funny that it’s touted as legally when that’s absolutely not how copyright law works at all.
So what you’re saying is that nobody is allowed to distribute for free what the original copyright holders refuse to sell or allow other people to sell?
That’s unfortunately how that works. That’s why there is a lot of abandonware. Software or games where the original copyright holder no longer exists or doesn’t care. Copyright doesn’t magically disappear.
Correct. The copyright owner controls the rights related to copying.
Unless the copyright holder specifically grants free distribution rights (e.g. releasing as a public domain work such as with a CC0 licence) then they can decide to do what they want. That includes choosing not to distribute the work in any way.
So no, Championship Manager 01/02 is not available legally for free. It’s no more legal than downloading ROMs. No one will stop you but that’s not the same as legal.
I’m not defending this approach. I think IP law is a fucking shambles and needs massive reform for a number of reasons. The duration is ludicrous and it’s horrendously restrictive in a way that chokes the life out of human culture. I see someone downvoted me, which is pretty funny in and of itself. Sorry for pointing out how IP law works..?
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