Making Abandoned Games into iOS apps
 

Hello I work for a software development company and I want to learn more about making iOS versions of abandoned games without getting sued. I wouldn't mind even contacting who ever is still owning the game to share the wealth with them. I am most interested in Dungeon Master II and Master of Orion II. Can anyone give me any advice on this?

Well, the only way to be legally in the clear is of course to get (explicit) permission from the copyright holders.

Yeah if want to do that you are going to need to talk to the Copyright holders of these games. They may just be interested, but I doubt it. Just because these games are Abandonware to us doesn't mean that is how the Copyright holder feels, plus there is no legal thing called Abandonware.

There isn't even a real definition of Abandonware VirtualAlex.
Abandonia's definition of abandonware is quite restrictive and there are many things to verify before adding a game on site, if you want to know more just ask. However the main scope of preserving Abandonware games should be to save titles which are not sold, not supported and sometimes even forgotten by their original software houses. Abandonware is generally tolerated, that's why sites like this exist.

Since your project is a commercial software that could really damage the copyright holders (speaking of monetary revenue), I really suggest you to contact them.

Contacting the copyright holders is the only legitimate way you can even consider porting the games to iOS (and might just possibly get you access to the design documents and perhaps even the original source code).
Otherwise, the only thing you can do is only make a rough adaptation of the game mechanics with your own plot and assets. This has its' own advantages.

Yes I agree with all of you and of course I would be more than happy to come to an agreement with the copyright holders. My big issue is having no idea who they are or how to contact them.

You can always check a game database like Mobygames:

http://www.mobygames.com/

You can find many kind of information about games and their developers.

You can find some information on who owns who in our list of ESA members: http://www.abandonia.com/vbullet/sho...39&postcount=3