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.