Downloading copyright material via torrent?

Question

Hi,

I live in the UK and was interested in clarifying a possible defence in the event a company wrote to me.

Say for example, I downloaded a Windows Vista Ultimate torrent. The only reason I was downloading this was because I have a valid license, but the disk no longer works. Would this be illegal?

Same goes with a music CD or DVD etc. If I download a CD because I've scratched the exact same one I physically bought in a shop.

I hope you understand what I mean.

Thanks people!

Answer 1

Would this be illegal? Yes. The one you paid for is now defective. If it were a car & it broke down, you couldn't go to  lot & just "pick" one.

Answer 2

Cpyright laws may vay between US and Great Britain, in the US seeking a free repalacement would be infrigement unless you obtained that replacement from the original company. Sounds to me like you need to hit your hip and pay for what you want