Playing a modified version of Mario Kart 8 on a PC or downloading a game from an unauthorised source may carry legal risks in France, according to digital law specialist Pierre-Xavier Chomiac de Sas. The lawyer says the law distinguishes between people who create or distribute piracy tools and those who knowingly use pirated games, but both can face consequences.
Under the French Intellectual Property Code, knowingly bypassing a game’s copy protection for personal use can be punishable by a fine of up to €3,750. Providing tools designed to bypass such protections, or distributing copyrighted games without permission, can carry penalties of up to three years in prison and a €300,000 fine. In cases involving organised groups, the stated maximum for copyright infringement rises to seven years in prison and €750,000.
Users who knowingly download or keep an unauthorised copy may be prosecuted for receiving the proceeds of copyright infringement, an offence that can carry up to five years in prison and a €375,000 fine. The article also notes that publishers may seek damages through civil courts.
Torrent use can create an additional risk, Chomiac de Sas says: users may share the file with others while downloading it, potentially making them distributors rather than simply recipients. He also rejects the idea that owning an original game automatically permits downloading another version or playing it on a different platform. A private copy must meet strict conditions, and bypassing technical protections can itself constitute an offence.
The lawyer says publishers pursue unauthorised platforms and fan projects to protect their intellectual property and commercial interests. The article’s central warning is that owning a legitimate copy does not necessarily make a modified or downloaded version lawful, and that the legal exposure depends on the conduct involved.
Sources: Jeuxvideo.com.