«

[songnar]

Look, we know that, as far as big business goes, abandonware is illegal, illicit, taboo...
But there's another side. Have a look, if you will, at the man named Al Lowe. Al is a programmer who created games like Liesure Suit larry and Mixed up Mother Goose and even Freddy Pharkas Frontier Pharmacist. People like Al put a lot of time and work into those old games that won't be seen on the shelves by anyone, and that's a terrible, terrible shame as there is so much to be learned by history. Al himself hosts a Freddy Pharkas site where he distributes that game in full at no charge (unless you want to order a CD)
The truth is, there are people who have put so much of their lives into these programs just to see them shelved, doesn't it do them justice to at least see their work still given to the good people who will play them? Let us not allow it, onward with abandonware, for the programmers, for the people, for the past and for the future!

[punch999]

If you still like this site then I highly doubt you really want those games on here. We have had problems with esa before and used to actually have those games on the sites. Doing it again would be suicide...

[songnar]

Oh, but of course, as a very law-loving citizen of the U.S.A. I wouldn't want to see anything here that disregards the wishes of the protection agency, but I do feel, however, that there is a thing as taking their protection too far, Sierra being a prime example of that.

[punch999]

Look bud. A law is truly a law whether you like it or not. And if you break it the website is still available to be held for breaking copyright laws and closed down.

[songnar]

Yes, a law is, in fact a law... Which is why I intend to find a way to change that law. Perhaps we could send a bill to congress suggesting limiting game rights that are not still sold on shelves to a limit of 7 years.

[punch999]

Heh... Bud, Really you are asking to allow video games to be downloaded for free if the game is not sold but the copyright still holds. Might I add they pay ESA a yearly fee to enforce this. Al Lowe might not like it but if the Publishers are paying for it's protection then it is in the best interest of the site to Abide to the rules.

Edit: Deleted unneeded fact that was technically irrelivent in this arguement.

[songnar]

Congress and Democracy are amazing tools, my friend, with a nearly unlimited power. In any case, I don't want anyone to break the rules. I only hope to convince the rule makers to change them entirely. Just as the governent may regulate planes and electricity and most anything else, surely our great congress can regulate time.

[punch999]

You are still asking something completly off the wall.

You are asking in fancy terms for a copyright too be null and void after a short period of time even if the company wants to renew it.

Am I missing something?

[songnar]

That is, by and far, the general cry of it, but only if the game has been unavailable for sale for seven years and there are, of course, exceptions.

[punch999]

You just created a program like microsoft word
The program is great and could work for a long period of time without need for updates. What you are saying is that no matter what this program even if the company makes tonnes of money off of it. Has to allow the program to be distributed thru sites for free. Whether they like it or not.

EDIT: changed microsoft work to microsoft word. Fixed typo