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| Legal Question concerning StarROMs |
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| 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.... |
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