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MAME and the law.
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isucamper:

--- Quote from: saint on May 21, 2010, 06:54:59 am ---I don't mind a good philosophical discussion. A legal discussion is pretty short however. Using ROMs you don't own is illegal. What you are really leaning towards, I think, is a moral discussion. Is it moral to use ROMs at home? That discussion I leave to each of you.

--- End quote ---

Isn't it immoral to break the law?  Especially when the purpose is as lowly as playing a video game?

These discussions always turn into a personal justification for doing what we all do.  Which is fine.  I just don't think any of us should lead ourselves into thinking it's 'moral' or 'ok' to do it just so we can sleep at night with a clear concience.  People will say "the copywrite holders don't care about old games" or "it's not really hurting anyone" but there's no way of proving those claims in the general sense.  Its just a pacifier we're all sucking on.  
Ginsu Victim:

--- Quote from: isucamper on May 21, 2010, 08:23:13 am ---People will say "the copywrite holders don't care about old games" or "it's not really hurting anyone" but there's no way of proving those claims in the general sense.  Its just a pacifier we're all sucking on. 

--- End quote ---

Most companies have turned a blind eye to it because they use the MAME team's resources to help make their retro collections or whatnot.
Vulgar Soul:
Well morally, of course acquiring and owning roms is a whole other thing, but I think anyone has the right to use MAME in a private environment how he chooses. I think the whole point is to allow people (not businesses) to preserve gaming in their homes in any extent they would like. Of course we can just play MAME on computers, but we're mostly purists and hobbyists who just loved the arcades and want them as we recognize them in our homes, with as much authenticity as possible. My planned MAME cab will of course have free credit buttons, but a full featured coin door and ability to accept coins will also be included, mostly for nostalgic reasons and just genuineness. I suppose anyone can argue that if I really wanted authenticity, I'd buy a legal, commercial machine instead of building a computer disguised as one, but it's all for the hobby.

Of course that's "morally" speaking, the laws of MAME are very clear. I guess whatever you do with MAME (and roms/emulators) in the privacy of your house is just a "don't ask, don't tell" kind of deal.
councilface:

Isn't it immoral to break the law?  Especially when the purpose is as lowly as playing a video game.

No.
Malenko:

--- Quote from: councilface on May 22, 2010, 01:42:10 pm ---
Isn't it immoral to break the law?  Especially when the purpose is as lowly as playing a video game.

No.

--- End quote ---

- to your quote fu


Also, thats like saying its immoral to jaywalk.
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