Quoting: x_wingOk, lets says it is ambiguous. Still, where is written that you can't do a backup copy of your SteamApps?

I posted that above about using the client. I read it as unless they let you, you have to use the client. So you'd need to find an explicit permission.

Copyright stuff commonly works using explicit, not implicit scope. I.e. if it's not said - it's not covered.

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Quoting: x_wingI meant what I quoted, doing a SteamApps backups is valid (they suggest this). In the article you link explains on how to backup only one of your games, while SteamApps will backup your whole library plus some Steam config files.

Not sure if it means manual backup, since they say "Please see the Using the Steam Backup Feature topic", which implies they mean using their tool. I'd say, at best it's very ambiguous. Also, there is no clarification on whether you can use such backup for any purpose rather than that very specific use case of "moving your installation". Since it's talking about that, you can't really extrapolate.

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Quoting: x_wingThey refer to both options, so both are valids backups.

I'm not sure what you mean by both options. Here is their backup documentation: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=8794-YPHV-2033 [External Link]

And they say quite explicitly:

1. Install Steam and log in to the correct Steam account (see Installing Steam for further instructions)
2. Launch Steam.
...

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Quoting: BOYSSSSSI can't seem to find it. Is this it? https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement [External Link]

It's the part about needing the client for installation step. @x_wing mentioned something about them explicitly allowing manual backups and re-installtion without the client. I've never seen that. Where is it documented?

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Quoting: x_wingthe other is by just copying your library directory (is mentioned in their docs).

That's against their TOS already. Unless they modified it to allow that.

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Quoting: x_wingAnd Steam also allows backups (in fact, they mention two ways in their docs). More over, if your game is DRM-free you can move your backup and run it anywhere without the Steam client (which is the other DRM software you always mention on Steam). Not sure where you want to get at this point...

Not the way you think. They explicitly require you to use their client for backups and restoration. I.e. if your account is closed (or Steam itself is closed), you won't be able to restore your backups legally, since your client will be defunct.

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Quoting: x_wingIn the same way as restrictions are present in GOG TOS:

Nope. GOG only has regular copyright restrictions specified. I.e. you aren't supposed to copy what you bought to others. That's perfectly expected. GOG however allows you personal backups, which is one of the main points of DRM-free. So not the same at all.

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Quoting: subCan we please have a leaked patch that restores all the Ion Maiden related stuff? :)

I'd welcome that. They can make it a community patch to avoid legal issues :)

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The first name was better, but whatever. Developers should focus on making the game, instead of fighting Iron Maiden bullying. Looking forward to full release!

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Quoting: eldakingI will argue that DRM are only the software restrictions that enforce this policy. If you are technically able to make back-ups, but are not allowed to do it by an agreement, it is not DRM.

It's not DRM from the standpoint of "breaking measures" i.e. violating anti-circumvention. But it's DRM from the standpoint of placing a restriction. For the lack of better term, DRM-free implies no such restrictions, and that means legal ways of backing up your purchases, not ones that violate the terms of use, while technically not breaking any software barriers. I.e. saying that game is DRM-free but to back it up you need to violate the TOS is not helpful. I don't call such stores DRM-free.

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