Interesting link... ramifications for our hobby?

[Ted_Striker]

I stumbled on this link while reading the news....

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/08/13/news_6104814.html

do you guys think Ultracade will start enforcing their copyright now?  could we be in for an MPAA type situation?

I've just wondered how long it would be until mame got too big and started drawing the attention of the copyright holders.  We all know there is money to be made on retro-gaming... The big companies just haven't cashed in...... yet.

This is the second time a company has tried to partner with rom owners (Hanaho and Capcom was first)... I wonder if this will effect us at all?

Not that I care one way or the other.... but I thought it would make an interesting board discussion.

[Tilzs]

You can run ultracade in a comercial enviroment can't you? If so I don't really see them getting too copyright happy at this point. Perhaps in the future however.

[paigeoliver]

It is too late, the files are already too widespread. All roms and emulation could be completely wiped off the net, and then people would just trade CDrs and DVDrs with the stuff on them in person.

At this point it would take billions of dollars and at least a decade or two for them to do much anything about it. Basically it is a battle that just isn't cost efficient.

[Generic Eric]

It is too late, the files are already too widespread. All roms and emulation could be completely wiped off the net, and then people would just trade CDrs and DVDrs with the stuff on them in person.

At this point it would take billions of dollars and at least a decade or two for them to do much anything about it. Basically it is a battle that just isn't cost efficient.

Doh
dem's fight'n words

[SirPoonga]

I've just wondered how long it would be until mame got too big and started drawing the attention of the copyright holders.  We all know there is money to be made on retro-gaming... The big companies just haven't cashed in...... yet.

already has caught the attention.  www.starroms.com

[Patent Doc]

First and foremost Ultracade is a liscencee NOT the copyright owner.  So basically, Ultracade is protecting themselves from litigation.  Smart move considering they are otherwise selling a product which is infringing on many copyrights.  Not doing so makes them a much bigger target and much easier to hit than hobbyists who never sell the infringed product.  However, Ultracade does not, as a liscencee, have the authority to enforce a copyright, unless they are a exclusive liscencee, and really this power is more a power to influence taito to enforce the copyright.  I doubt that Ultracade would go after hobbyists for a couple of reasons.  1) This would be a very expensive endeavor and lets face it Ultracade ain't that wealthy and 2) This would highlight any copyrights they are infringing.

Anyway, that's my .02.  Good news for those who want to have legal versions of the games though.  That is if you want to but their gear.  

[Pipercub]

Just about the same release with a little bit more info (not much more)

UltraCade Technologies has completed an agreement with Taito Corp. that gives UltraCade the North American rights for distribution of Taito's library of classic arcade titles published from the 1970s to the 1990s. UltraCade plans to release three multigame arcade machines based on its proprietary operating system and emulation engine featuring Taito games.  

First, the Taito Arcade Classics machine features multiple controls, including joysticks, spinners, and a trackball and will ship with over 20 classic games including Arkanoid, Bubble Bobble, and Zoo Keeper. Operators will be able to increase the available games with seven planned upgrade packs. UltraCade will show the new machine at the AMOA International Expo Sept. 30-Oct. 2 in Las Vegas, Nev.  

Second, the Taito Gun Classics machine will feature six classic Taito light gun games including Operation Wolf and Gun Buster, all housed in a single dedicated cabinet. This machine will be the first to have UltraCade's new light gun interface adapter, which allows multiple guns to be controlled by Intel-based hardware.  

Third, the Taito Driving Classics machine will launch with eight classic driving games in a single upright driving cabinet and include games such as Chase H.Q. and Special Criminal Investigation (SCI). For more information, call (408)436-8885; fax (408)715-6183

[Ted_Striker]

It is too late, the files are already too widespread. All roms and emulation could be completely wiped off the net, and then people would just trade CDrs and DVDrs with the stuff on them in person.

At this point it would take billions of dollars and at least a decade or two for them to do much anything about it. Basically it is a battle that just isn't cost efficient.

I agree with you whole heartedly... but the same could be said about MP3's.. They are already out there, and you won't be able to stop people from sharing... but they are still going out there and getting people.  It is a losing proposition for them, but they are still doing it.  Although record companies have a bit more money and lawyers than mostly defunt arcade makers.

I understand Ultracade is the licensee and wasn't implying that Ultracade would sue...  I meant more that if companies have the desire to license their titles... Taito may say "hey, if these guys want to license this stuff, maybe other people would.  So maybe we should start looking  at protecting what is ours."  

I suppose the idea could also be equated with the Midway releases for pc.  They are again making money off of their retro gaming titles but have yet to really "sock it to us" with the copyright thing...  I suppose this validates your thoughts paige to a point.  

I just found the idea interesting and like the quality discussions we get on this board.

I will be one of those guys trading the roms on dvd ...  

[mr.Curmudgeon]

I agree with you whole heartedly... but the same could be said about MP3's.. They are already out there, and you won't be able to stop people from sharing... but they are still going out there and getting people.  It is a losing proposition for them, but they are still doing it.  Although record companies have a bit more money and lawyers than mostly defunt arcade makers.

One slight difference, Ultracade is re-distributing the product in a format that the fan base wants, ie: digital roms in an arcade machine. It greatly enhances their product at what I'd imagine to be a minimal pricing increase. The records companies, early on, were too stupid and too greedy to acknowledge the benefits of digital distribution. Instead they alienated music fans and musicians alike by ignoring the markets desire for MP3's. Look at iTunes...doing pretty well from what I hear. Their business model just proves that even though most of this music is freely available, there is still a profit to be made from those that would legally purchase the material.

Ultracade, by embracing the hobbyist niche, is in fact doing the exact opposite of the RIAA, albeit it's more profitable for them since they don't have any initial investment in the product  (ie: development/manufacturing original games) other than liscensing.

There will always be people who find a way to get what they want illegally, but just because there's bank robbers doesn't mean they should stop printing money.  <----Does that even make any sense?!  

mrC

[Floyd10]

Well then start blanking making the cabinets again.

[paigeoliver]

There is also a massively huge difference between music and video games.

Music does not have a 5 year shelf life like video games do. Which is why it is worth defending.

I have already described this in an old post before, but basically only the cream of the crop of old games have any sort of rerelease value.

Sure, they have the various classics compilations. Usually 20 bucks and you get 10 or more games.

That is $2 a game, and that is for Pac-Man, and Galaga and Gyruss. Only the best of the best can even command $2 in a compilation.

Now, if the top 1 percent can only command $2 a game, then what is the rest worth?

Peter Packrat is a darn good game. But would it make any actual sense for infogrames to spend any money defending that title from piracy.

Lets see. Peter Packrat did 500 units back in 1984. For a smaller company, with a lesser title, that would have been a profitable title. Not for Atari, Atari needed to do around 1000 of a game to break even on it (remember reading that in some old atari document on the net). So, it was a money loser when it first came out. I don't think it was ever ported to any home systems.

Now, what kind of value does that title have today to the license holder? They could write a built in little emulator or port it to windows and if they were REALLY lucky then they might get a spot in the shovelware bin next to the $1.99 clip art. They could do the same thing packaged together with other games and stick a higher pricetag on it. Probably wouldn't sell too hot though. The Atari System One games might be cult collectables, but for some reason I don't think the compilation of them would sell very well, may recoup costs, if they are lucky.

Now, that was a GOOD game. What value does say  "Amazing Maze" hold for Midway? Absolutely none. Think anyone is going to spend any money on a rerelease of Jungler, Blue Print, or Star Hawk? Heck, if they rereleased Star Hawk they might get sued because Lucas might notice all the star wars ships that are in the game.

But music, music has a much longer shelf life, much longer than 5 years, at least for the good stuff.

Do the record companies defend the crappy music too? Like, are they going after people for bootlegging MC Hammer's final album, or anything else that hasn't sold a copy since it came out?

[Floyd10]

I totally agree. And btw... ouch... and yes they do.

[danny_galaga]

just checking out peter packrat. thats what i like about these forums. get to find out about games youve never heard of