Legal Question concerning StarROMs

[AlanS17]

Ok I'm not trying to open up a big can of worms here. I'm just trying to get an idea of the legality of this issue...

If StarROMs can be paid for and obtained legally, could a MAME cabinet centered around said roms be built and sold legally? What legal issues arise out of the transfer of such ROMs?

[AlanS17]

Nevermind. I answered my own question:

"This License  allows you to use the Software on a single personal computer for non-commercial entertainment purposes only..."

[SirPoonga]

Alan, also look at the mame EULA.

[MonitorGuru]

StarRoms specifically prohibit licence transfers, meaning you cannot legally sell your licence of the roms to someone else.

Of course that doesn't stop numerous quick-buck eBayers from trying this.

Also StarRoms has always seemed "shakey at best" to me, regardless of the claims offered by their staff and supporters.  Recently they have removed a number of games from their list. This is interesting because Atari (aka Infogrames in a former life) is releasing a multi-game machine containing some of these games removed IIRC.  I definitely have no intentions of providing them money for their roms because I cannot be 100% assured that this is fully santioned by the copyright owner, and as such, why isn't it directly going to Atari?

One could argue that there is a definite legal relationship between the two (e.g. they decide to sell hardware so want to remove the games) yet also it seems strange since we're taking 7800/2600 versions vs aracde versions.   Again it makes me feel strange.

I think regardless, it is wholly illegal to include any games, even the 3 "supposed" free games, with mame.  Again, not that it stops anyone, but that's life in piracy land.


In all actuality, enjoy Mame while it lasts.  I think the recent RIAA, MPAA raids and lawsuits, not to mention illegality of certain hardware ownership (since it can be used to hack satellite systems), and the huge emulation scene that is now not only emulating old dead stuff, but the emulation of new systems and huge piracy of them (Xbox, PS2, GameCube), the good times are probably gonna end pretty soon.  I would not be surprised in the least if "official/wide open" mame development fully stops in the next 12-24 months due to the changes in the world.

Just my $0.02

[Thenasty]

Think about it this way.

You bought an X-box plus the GAME, but you can't put n out there to money on.

Same thing goes for Videos. You bought the PLAYER and the MOVIES but you can't make profit out of it.

Same goes I guess with everything....

[Lilwolf]

Starroms is legit.  Confirmed by many on the mame team.  And the roms recently got 1/2 when their contract changed because of a new multi - pac cds and compitition..

As for mame being stopped.  It wont happen.  People have been talking for YEARS and it used to be worse.  They used to drop roms sites on a weekly basis.  

I'm guessing if they change the laws, it would just make it go underground a little more.  But you would still see versions pop up here and there.

Also note...  Most of the developers don't live in the US.  So you would have to expect that the laws would have to change in some world wide format that would scare developers.

but then... I think you would just find more anomonous updates..

but last...

I think mame will stop development in a large point when the number of 2d arcades are fully emulated... Hopefully work will move to increase quality and fill in some gabs...

This depends on how hard it is to really incorporate a nice universal tools to get 3d emulation going.  

[AlanS17]

Alan, also look at the mame EULA.

Good point. Never thought about it from that angle. Still, if I wanted to buy those ROMs and have a dedicated multi-Atari ROM-based MAME machine, it would be totally 100% legal for my own use, right? (I'm not talking about charging people for it, of course).

That's pretty cool when you think about it. A Home-grown LEGIT arcade machine... Not that the cops would ever show up at my door to confiscate the thing, but it makes me feel better and in a sense, prouder that I didn't need to cheat.

[whammoed]

Yep, thanks for the reminder.  Just bought the ones I want to use.  Hopefully if copyright holders see there is money to be made there will be more legal roms available.  I certainly don't have a problem purchasing the rights especially when the price is reasonable.