Out of print material and Pirating

[AgentJean]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Sites like GameTap and companies like MS and Nintendo are paying creators to re-release old software so if it's a game then yes, piracy could hurt the creators by removing demand for a paid re-release.

What are you planning to "infringe"?

I'm not planning to infringe anything..... The topic was brought up by a friend in regards to a Japanese interactive novel that has been out of print for 7 years, although a free patch/translation into English has just been released, but you need the orginal out of print software to run the patch. It's a pointless catch-22

 

[jadinolf]

It's the devils work.

 

[Injury]

I find it entirely justified. But "legal" is not always the same as justified.

I also find it if the item is foreign and cannot be imported. , however, the internet has mostly helped out in being able to get those items to consumers.

 

[Shawn]

http://www.abandonia.com/index2.php

 

[elmro]

Check to see if the company sells the software on their website via direct download.

 

[DrPizza]

How about if you *can* find it on ebay, but the buyers comments point to the fact that the seller is just selling illegal copies?

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
How about if you *can* find it on ebay, but the buyers comments point to the fact that the seller is just selling illegal copies?

Might as well find it yourself rather than let someone else profit off it.

 

[ForumMaster]

yeah i doubt Atari cares if anyone downloads roms of original games. it's not like they make or lose anything on that.

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: ForumMaster
yeah i doubt Atari cares if anyone downloads roms of original games. it's not like they make or lose anything on that.

On the contrary... Atari is still selling those old games. (or someone is) About a year ago, I purchased a new system that comes with about 100 of the old games on it. It's kinda funny - my kids can kick my butt in Halo, probably because they've spent so many hours, they've learned a billion tricks. But, the Atari games are incredibly simple - my kids have yet to beat me at any Atari game.

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: ForumMaster
yeah i doubt Atari cares if anyone downloads roms of original games. it's not like they make or lose anything on that.</end quote></div>

On the contrary... Atari is still selling those old games. (or someone is) About a year ago, I purchased a new system that comes with about 100 of the old games on it. It's kinda funny - my kids can kick my butt in Halo, probably because they've spent so many hours, they've learned a billion tricks. But, the Atari games are incredibly simple - my kids have yet to beat me at any Atari game.

Set up MAME and tell them, "here, beat THIS game." It's your basic side scrolling game, but they'll be there FOREVER. I highly doubt they'll even be able to beat it.

 

[Triumph]

Originally posted by: hanoverphist
most ISPs have deemed torrents against their tos, and will dc you. i played world of warcraft at a hotel during patch day, and got about 93% done when they finally realized it was a torrent download. i had to call and explain that it wasnt me downloading movies, the only reason they turned it back on was the supervisor on duty plays wow also.

saved by your geek card. hah!

 

[patentman]

Originally posted by: AgentJean
Is there anything "wrong" with using torrents to get out of print software? The publisher hasn't made it in years and no store would have it in stock any more. There may be the remote chance one could buy a used copy on an auction site but how does paying 10 - 20 times retail "help" the creator?

Opinions?

Other then it flagrant copyright infringement, no. In all honesty I will there was some way to legitimately obtain "out of print" software, as I would love to buy some old games I remember from childhood.

 

[911paramedic]

Copyrights last until death +50 years IIRC. (been over 10 since I looked into it.)

That being said, it is illegal. Justified because there is NO way of obtaining it, that's up to you.

What are you looking for anyways?

 

[brxndxn]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
so if you have a rare wine in your wine cellar, that i can't get from a wine store, and the winery that made the wine no longer exists, you are ok with me breaking in and "sharing" it
😎

Eh.. I wouldn't mind making a copy of it for you.

 

[Conservationist]

Originally posted by: AgentJean
Is there anything "wrong" with using torrents to get out of print software?

You're asking a complex question.

Wrong? Obviously the publisher doesn't care. Exceptions might be if they'd prefer you buy a current version...

Illegal? I'm not a lawyer, but if it's still under copyright, my guess is it's illegal.