Using a MAME machine for charity fund raising?

[Crazy Cooter]

You probably wouldn't go to jail, but you could very easily fall "victim" to an eager lawyer trying to make a name for themselves.

It's the lawyers I'd be afraid of, not the cops.  I'd much rather spend 30 days in county instead of $30,000 for lawyers.  I *think* you'd be responsible for the plantiffs court costs (besides your own) if you were found to be breaking copyright laws - which you would be.

Just too much risk IMO.

[juggle50]

Well, I don't want to spend any time in jail or pay $30,000.00.  I respect your opinion, but I don't think lawyers make names for themselves by initiating lawsuits against moderate fundraisers for children's hospitals.  Even lawyers aren't that greedy 

Obviously you've got to use your common sense.  If the event is for copywrite lawyers then no, not a good idea.  They probably don't like video games anyway     If it's a huge media event with thousands of people, then yeah then it might not be smart depending on the circumstances.

But for the most part I think it's a tiny tiny amount of risk for a potential big reward if any substantial amount of money is raised to help sick kids.

[eggedd2k]

well said mate

[ChadTower]

Big reward?  He's talking about a MAME machine in a private club.  A good day is $5.

[Yander]

But having arcade machines and pinball draws people to the fundraiser. I can't imagine the fundraiser's main source of money from the event are the quarters people are putting into the machine. I doubt anyone will mess with you, especially at a childrens' hospital fundraiser. The auctioning of the mame machine is a great idea to if you want to play it on the safeside.

[quarterback]

Going back to the original message, it's unclear what the duration of this 'fund raiser' is.

[ChadTower]

But having arcade machines and pinball draws people to the fundraiser. I can't imagine the fundraiser's main source of money from the event are the quarters people are putting into the machine. I doubt anyone will mess with you, especially at a childrens' hospital fundraiser. The auctioning of the mame machine is a great idea to if you want to play it on the safeside.

So put a real board in there and don't break the law.  Even putting in a real board would be sketchy because then the town just comes down on them for not having an op license.

It's not a viable solution.  You won't make enough back to cover costs even if you do it legally.

[tommy]

Unfortunatly i have to agree with chad here    you can't break the law even for a good cause.