So, are emulators really illegal? If I download some old out-of-print Super Nintendo game and play it on my Super Nintendo emulator, is that illegal?

AFAIK, you may use emulators to play console games on your pc only if you own the actual cartridges of those games.

I sure hope not..
I've got alot of emulated games (mostly super nintendo and playstation)..and I really enjoy them..not having to spend money buying the console, but still playing those great games [img]smile.gif[/img]

I don't think so, only consoles that are still being sold are illegal or something.

What about dying consoles? (Wonders if anyone could send him a copy of Chrono Trigger for the PSX as he can't find it anywhere)

Yes They're Illegal. The Only Way It's Not Illegal Is If You Already Own The Original. Of Course, I'm Talking About The Law Of England. I'm Not Sure About Where You Live Nebbers

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Beaumanoir:
Yes They're Illegal. The Only Way It's Not Illegal Is If You Already Own The Original. Of Course, I'm Talking About The Law Of England. I'm Not Sure About Where You Live Nebbers<hr></blockquote>

It's pretty much the same anywhere. It has to do with copyright rights. If you don't have a legal copy of the game, you are not legally entitled to own a "pirated" copy either.

So, it's only illegal to own a pirated copy? So if I bought a legal copy of a PSX game and then played it on my PC with an emulator that would be legal?

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Neb:
So, it's only illegal to own a pirated copy? So if I bought a legal copy of a PSX game and then played it on my PC with an emulator that would be legal?<hr></blockquote>
yes

Emulators are illegal if:

You dont own the BIOS to the original console. The emulator needs an image of the consoles BIOS chip in order to work, if you dont own a console you cant legaly download it and therefore cant ever make the emulator work. Fortunatley, several consoles have had their BIOS'es released into the public domain, but forget about sony every realeasing the PSX bios. Ever.

You dont own the original game, although there are several developers who have released their games into the public domain again, so check around. If in doubt, email the developer (if they still exist, otherwise find whoever has the rights) and ask.

If you have a legal BIOS and a legal copy of a game, its legal to emulate it. It is generaly assumed that it is legal to download an image of a game if you hold the cartridge, since reading a console cartridge takes significant equipment.

At least thats what its like under US law, and british as well. AFAIK.

I like Emulators because I got to play final fantasy 6 and most of the earlier ones, this would otherwise never happened. Only cought on after ff7.

It is legal to download and play Emulator Roms, and play them even if you dont have the original, but only if you delete them off your computer after 24 hours of downloading them or so I have heard.

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Neb:
So, it's only illegal to own a pirated copy? So if I bought a legal copy of a PSX game and then played it on my PC with an emulator that would be legal?<hr></blockquote>

Yes because you're not really paying for the actual cartridge when you buy a console game, you are paying for the right to use it. Once you have paid for this right, the publishers don't care what format you use it in.

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Vaskez:


Yes because you're not really paying for the actual cartridge when you buy a console game, you are paying for the right to use it. Once you have paid for this right, the publishers don't care what format you use it in.<hr></blockquote>

Wooooo! Anyone happen to have a copy of the PSX version of Chrono Trigger lying around that they're willing to sell?

(Can't find it anywhere near where I live and I lack a credit card to buy it online :( )

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Daniel:
It is legal to download and play Emulator Roms, and play them even if you dont have the original, but only if you delete them off your computer after 24 hours of downloading them or so I have heard.<hr></blockquote>

heh, thats an old urban legend

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by DiabloRex:


heh, thats an old urban legend<hr></blockquote>

Actually DR, its not, at least not in the US. You can, under US Copyright Law, copy(i.e. download) any piece of software, music file, game file, whatever(Essentially, any file that is executable), and use it for 24 hours with no legal repurcussions, as long as you then delete it. I have a buddy who is a copyright lawyer. He told me so. [img]smile.gif[/img]

That was one of the sticking points of the whole Napster fiasco. It wasn't illegal for users to download the music, as long as they deleted it after 24 hours. Also, if you own, say, Metallica: Black, and download a copy of Through The Never, you can keep it as long as you like. Even though you didn't actually rip it from the source, you have the right to have an acrhived copy of your music.

the emulator is not illegal rather the games you play are.

the 24 hour thing is not an urban legend it is correct. [img]smile.gif[/img]

you have to own the cartridge as everyone said

but then you wouldn't really mind. they won't be able to detect it unless you really want them to sue your butt but will probably not since it is already a game they already acquired millions out of... [img]smile.gif[/img]

so merry gaming [img]smile.gif[/img]

OT: Nebster! You are a Dracolich now!!! Awesome, all that spamming finaly payed off ;)

Well to have a pirate emulator and game isn´t always illegal, the game itself is illegal but to own is no problem. When you spread it however is illegal and to play is illegal (read, lawyers love this laws I have heard..).

As a phenomenon the emulators are ilegal since thoose games are protected under copywright laws that is more or less worldwide. Some countries still don´t have copywright laws..

If you own the original game is no problem. You can also find some emulators that are legal cause no one owns the rights or the protection has gone out/or the owner have agreed to make it a free license.

All pirate software is however seen as an illegal one though! ;) The laws are pretty strange around this subject.

Anyone know where I can download emulaters for the Playstation and the Dreamcast? How about ROMS for these 2 systems? Thanks!! [img]graemlins/bonghit.gif[/img]
"That is not dead which can eternal lie, but in strange aeons even death may die"- H.P. Lovecraft.
[img]graemlins/skeleton1.gif[/img]

Safyre246 and anyone else who is interested this a good site for emulators, www.emulator-zone.com

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by safyre246:
Anyone know where I can download emulaters for the Playstation and the Dreamcast? How about ROMS for these 2 systems? Thanks!! [img]graemlins/bonghit.gif[/img] <hr></blockquote>

There are no ROMS for these two systems, the emulators merely allow you to play the games on your PC, you'll still have to buy them, or get a copy from someone....

<font color="cyan">Roms are illegal unless you own the original copy, and it is used for backup purposes. I know, as I used to run a website (the UK's biggest Final Fantasy site), and I had a lot of problems with storing ROMS of games 1 to 6.

Anyway, my site is now closed. hehe.

I still have ROMS (only as back-ups obviously ;) ), but do you know what is one better than ROMS? Downloading the full install programs to the games....(i.e - recently, I've done Rollercoaster Tycoon, Zoo Tycoon, Monkey Island 1 and 2, and I'm currently downloading Discworld). There are some amazin games, if you have the connection speed. Only thing is, the installers are everything that came on the cd, so can go up to 600MB. I think this is probably illegal too....</font>

I think its great because at this stage who is going to go back and bye a snes? no one will. I can see the problems with the N64 emulator and bleem and so forth but snes games? nah.