Second Hand Registration

from GalCiv2 Forums
Here is an E-mail I have sent to Stardock regarding the registration of 2nd hand copies of the game. I feel my points are valid, especially the fact that no information is available about registering a 2nd hand product either on the box or in the manual, and the fact that someone now gets to rip off stardock and play the game for free. In fact why does everyone now take their copy back once registered, download the game and voila! A free game. A little bit strange and alot of profit to be lost if you ask me. :-/ Oh and they still have not replied so any thoughts on the issue would be gladly appreciated guys. Thanks .


"I have recently purchased a 2nd hand copy of Galatic Civilisations 2 (Limited
Edition). There was no information on the box or in the manual that if the
product was 2nd had that i would not be able to download and update or use any
bonus content. The serial no. is ******************. The system
overall is a good idea but it seems strange that someone who has traded in the
game at Gamestation is still able to play the game as they have registred it
even though they no longer own the game itself anymore, threfore they have
purchased the game, sold it, and are now able to play the game as if they had
got it for free. On the other hand, I now own the game but I am unable to patch
it. I have also sent an e-mail to support@stardock.com regarding this matter
but am as yet to recieve a reply, or even conformation that they have received
my query. Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated, as I would like
to be able to play the fully patched version. Thanks. Ben Wilton."

7,181 views 5 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Go back, and demand a brand new copy. Stardock will not change the system, as it would work if the stores didn't resell. However, you're within your rights to demand they give you a new version with serial number.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I just read the EULA. This was in the ["No-No Section"]

2. [You may not]Sublicense, rent, lease or transfer your
personal serial number without express
written consent from Stardock.

So my opinion (Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer nor have I ever studied law) is that Stardock has no obligagation to provide second hand buyers with a new serial unless they have already given consent to the seller to sell their liscense.
Siege of Centauri
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Claim it's defective and ask for a replacement. Technically , it is defective.

Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Technically , it is defective.


I dont think it can be called defective if he bought something that the seller had no right to sell (according to the EULA).

EULA's are dry and very few people read them, I never do... unless I want to do something not usual (like install and use).

I think I would have checked it out before I sold or bought a copy. Heck, I did not know it was legal to sell used PC software...
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
Oh and they still have not replied so any thoughts on the issue would be gladly appreciated guys.


Most of us don't work on weekends, so don't expect a response when nobody's in the office...

If you unknowingly bought a used copy thinking it was new, return it to the store and explain the situation to them, and ask for a genuinely new copy. If you knew it was used when you bought it, then you can play v1.0 off the discs or purchase a serial at slightly reduced cost.

As noted in a reply above, the EULA prohibits the resale of the serial (the clause stating this is not buried at all--the entire license is only a page and a half to two pages long, and as near to plain english as EULAs get). Once it has been registered, it is permanently bound to that user's account. We will not transfer it to another user, nor will we provide a new serial to anyone else who gains posession of that particular copy of the game. If you bought it directly from the prior owner, you can attempt to contact them about getting the account in its entirety. Otherwise, as above, you can try your luck with a return, or stick with what you've got.