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Author Topic: copyright laws  (Read 7307 times)
Nathanael
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copyright laws
« on: February 01, 2006, 07:14:37 pm »

Well my sister recently had me download pokemon crystal for her. But usta when i was a rom pirate or whatever u call it. The websites with roms would always have a disclaimer that it was illegal to have a rom on ure computer for longer than 24 hours if u didnt own the original cartridge.But now im havin second thoughts bout downloadin the game cause I think its still illegal.Unfortunately she argues the site doesnt give the disclaimer so its legal. And she also sais that she will entually buy it I believe that she will buy it. But i believe its wrong to have it on our computer and lettin her play it when she doesnt own it if its illegal. Unfortunately if I dont find the law she will hate me forever for takin it off. If its still a law like I think can someone show me a site that shows the law. Cause i cant find it anywhere.
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Re: copyright laws
« Reply #1 on: February 01, 2006, 07:53:49 pm »

If you're in the USA, try the U.S. Copyright Office. Most of the time, the 24 hour limitation is complete and utter fiction, and downloading a file without the copyright holder's permission is usually illegal irrespective of what the guy giving the file to you says.
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Halleck
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Re: copyright laws
« Reply #2 on: February 01, 2006, 08:46:56 pm »

ROMs are generally legal as backups of real cartidges ONLY. So, if you own the cartridge, it's legal, but if you don't, it's illegal. Simple as that.
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Draxas
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Re: copyright laws
« Reply #3 on: February 01, 2006, 11:54:45 pm »

There are actually a very small number of roms that are perfectly legal to download for everyone, because the copyright owners have made the software public domain. However, these are VERY few and far between, and apply to typically small companies. This certainly does NOT apply to anyone as huge as Nintendo/Game Freak, that's for sure.
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Halleck
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Re: copyright laws
« Reply #4 on: February 02, 2006, 04:44:19 am »

True, this has been known to happen (with a handful of ROMs along with other types of games.)

For instance, Beneath a Steel Sky and Star Control 2.  Grin
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Re: copyright laws
« Reply #5 on: February 02, 2006, 03:02:42 pm »

It can vary on country too. For example, there
are a lot of software items (codecs, formats,
copyrighted material) that one can legally download
in Canada that one cannot in the USA.
Where are you?
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Re: copyright laws
« Reply #6 on: February 02, 2006, 04:06:45 pm »

True, this has been known to happen (with a handful of ROMs along with other types of games.)

For instance, Beneath a Steel Sky and Star Control 2.  Grin
Note, however, that the original releases of these two games (and a few others) still have their original copyright and license, so you're only allowed to distribute the new free versions. In some other cases, however, all the previous versions are free (e.g. Ken's Labyrinth).
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Re: copyright laws
« Reply #7 on: February 02, 2006, 11:28:42 pm »

That's true for SC2, but I think the original BASS distribution is also free.
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Re: copyright laws
« Reply #8 on: February 03, 2006, 06:46:12 pm »

That's true for SC2, but I think the original BASS distribution is also free.
You may be right; I can't find a straight answer to this right now.
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Re: copyright laws
« Reply #9 on: February 03, 2006, 08:21:33 pm »

That's true for SC2, but I think the original BASS distribution is also free.
You may be right; I can't find a straight answer to this right now.
They seem to dish out whatever components from the game people would like (including, presumably, a complete original release), but aren't too formal with their licensing policies.
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Nathanael
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Re: copyright laws
« Reply #10 on: February 04, 2006, 01:47:12 am »

Oooooh my head. All these laws and loop holes this is turnin into one big headache. Guess my sis will just have to hate me for life Cry
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Draxas
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Re: copyright laws
« Reply #11 on: February 04, 2006, 07:25:50 pm »

The bottom line for you, Nathanael:

Do you own the Pokemon Crystal cartridge? If not, the rom is illegal for sure. If so, the legality is still questionable.

So, unless you've bought the cart since the time you posted your first message, you pretty much have your answer.
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meep-eep
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Re: copyright laws
« Reply #12 on: February 04, 2006, 08:06:17 pm »

Don't be so sure. Even if you own a copy and making your own backup would be legal, downloading one from the internet may still be illegal.

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Re: copyright laws
« Reply #13 on: February 04, 2006, 11:15:10 pm »

nintendo.com/corp/faqs/legal.html

Edit, better put this as a text, never know with those referers... cough
« Last Edit: February 04, 2006, 11:17:18 pm by Arne » Logged
Draxas
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Re: copyright laws
« Reply #14 on: February 05, 2006, 02:02:09 am »

Take Nintendo's opinion with a grain of salt; it's in their best interest to scare everyone the hell away from emulation in general. How else can they expect to continue turn a profit on 20 year old games?
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