Mobility Site - View Single Post

**Martin** · 09-12-03, 06:37 AM

i think at this point aximsite should issue a disclaimer! there's a lot of people dispensing legal advice all of a sudden...

i'm a lawyer, and one of my training seats was in intellectual property, and i wouldn't be able to give you a quick answer on the legality of certain roms. Some are freeware, some have been OFFICIALLY made universal by the companies, and some are still very much guarded by them. In my experience, the companies....and i name no names....used to get very tetchy when we dealth with their "personalities", e.g. Sonic, etc. Even NES roms were not outside the realm of litigation.

At the end of the day, its dangerous to say its ok, and ignorant to say its illegal, because different rules apply to each and every rom out there. IP Law, especially in the UK, is very complicated stuff (which is why i moved across to medical negligence!). To be on the safe side, assume it is an illlegal download because it probably is. If you're unsure, phone the makers of the product, or simply don't download it. Unfortunately emulators often seem to be like guns....they're only illegal if you use them.

Play safe!

09-12-03, 06:37 AM	#24 (permalink)
Martin Aximsite Alumnus Addicted Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: U.K. Posts: 3,030 Device: Blackberry 8900 Thanked 11 Times in 9 Posts	legal issues... i think at this point aximsite should issue a disclaimer! there's a lot of people dispensing legal advice all of a sudden... i'm a lawyer, and one of my training seats was in intellectual property, and i wouldn't be able to give you a quick answer on the legality of certain roms. Some are freeware, some have been OFFICIALLY made universal by the companies, and some are still very much guarded by them. In my experience, the companies....and i name no names....used to get very tetchy when we dealth with their "personalities", e.g. Sonic, etc. Even NES roms were not outside the realm of litigation. At the end of the day, its dangerous to say its ok, and ignorant to say its illegal, because different rules apply to each and every rom out there. IP Law, especially in the UK, is very complicated stuff (which is why i moved across to medical negligence!). To be on the safe side, assume it is an illlegal download because it probably is. If you're unsure, phone the makers of the product, or simply don't download it. Unfortunately emulators often seem to be like guns....they're only illegal if you use them. Play safe! __________________ Newest To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. ___________________________