Is it Legual

[ZeldaFanatic]

Im pretty sure this is legual......Is that true?

[Truth Unknown]

Depends on what exactly.

Emulation Software and ROM Data Dumping Software/Hardware is legal in most places.

The mess is the legality of the copyrighted ROM data that was dumped. There is a good number of laws that can cover this topic, and its confusing. But one thing is clear, the sharing of copyrighted properties without the consent of the owner is illegal. This means via Web-sites, Web-storage (rapidshare, megaupload, etc), Peer to peer transfers (Limewire, Frostwire, Torrent Protocol, etc) and any other way to share data between people. Its illegal.

[HatCat]

Originally Posted by Truth Unknown

The mess is the legality of the copyrighted ROM data that was dumped. There is a good number of laws that can cover this topic, and its confusing.

I aim not to oppose. I am interested in any details or where there are sources.

---

While I post in the wish for information I'll involve myself with a note.

Truth Unknown is describing with "illegal".
magmarock64 is describing with "not wrong".

In some cases, the terms "illegal" and "wrong" can be different.
Sometimes they are accurately summarized as the same.
Other times, "illegal" means, "not apt to do" / "can not be done" / syn. impossible.
But if we think of "illegal" as "against the law", "unlawful", depending on the environment (inclusively as what "the law" references), it can be different from "wrong" when two environments do not intertwine.

The true multi-context definitions set of even an old English term are exact, but our perceptions that enable us to bend their values are also important.

If I was to link to Nintendo's legal.jsp page again, you could closely see this method. As far as dumping games yourself, one question they ask is, "Are backup devices illegal," answering yes from based on function. Of course as suggested by Truth Unknown, I get to use my PC's function as a device to backup files.

What they don't actually direct to (not even ask on the FAQ)--as consistently as they do with other questions--is, "Is the copy I produce from the process of backing up my authentic game lawful?" On a separate note, what they do ask is, "Can I download a Nintendo ROM from the Internet if I already own the authentic game;" they just don't ask the former. When they mention backup copy exception they direct that a downloaded copy is unlawful but mention nothing of a backup.

boy I gotta take my pill and get to sleep

[magmarock64]

Originally Posted by ZeldaFanatic

Im pretty sure this is legual......Is that true?

Why do you care? You won't get in trouble and theses games are 12 years old and discontinued so it's not really stealing.

[Truth Unknown]

Originally Posted by magmarock64

Why do you care? You won't get in trouble and theses games are 12 years old and discontinued so it's not really stealing.

Old or not, its still stealing.

[magmarock64]

Originally Posted by Truth Unknown

Old or not, its still stealing.

The key word here is "discontinued" meaning that the game is no longer available for Eg GoldenEye, when you download GoldenEye who exactly are you stealing it from? The ownership of GoldenEye is divided amongst multiple companies.


Don't believe the lies of those bloody commercials that say internet piracy is equal to mugging someone or breaking onto there house. It's not even close, I think if the people who make these ads knew what they where talking about they'd tell the industry to get stuffed

[CA5]

Theft removes original. Like, I got my pen nicked, I don't have it anymore. Piracy doesn't (in general) - whoever the companies are, they still have the games somewhere.

[ZeldaFanatic]

Well, if I got games that I do not own from here:

xxxxxxxx

Is it legual?

[Limmo900]

Originally Posted by ZeldaFanatic

Im pretty sure this is legual......Is that true?

DEFINATLY LEGAL IVE BEEN PLAYING IT FOR AGES.

[zodac]

these companies i'm "stealing" from (but it's actually copied, they still have the disc) will make more monay than me in 1 day than my entire lifetime, how is that fair?