Collecting vs. Just Playing Games

[Merz]

All this talk of what is and isn't legal makes me want to go break some laws. Do you think anyone that burns Samurai Shodown for the Sega Saturn is worried about SNK lawyers knocking down their door?

I don't collect at all because games are too expensive and they are expensive because people collect them. I also don't want to be more materialistic than I already am. With that said, I really wish I had original copies so I could look at the artwork and not have to worry about "is this going to play right or is the music going to cut out after the first level?" kind of stuff.

[Breetai]

You're absolutely in the clear backing up/burning most pre-2002 games.

Do you have ANY evidence that this is true (absolutely in the clear)?
Considering that a large number of pre-2002 games have been re-released in the last few years, it is definitely illegal to pirate these games. Will any of us be persecuted in our respective countries for downloading a ROM of Punch-Out! or Earthbound? Extremely unlikely, but it looks like you are implying here that it is legal to back up/burn most pre-2002 games. For those who think it is legal (apparently some do think that, judging by this thread), it is not.

Downloading ROMS or copies of CDs of copyrighted games is illegal. Copying your own games is even illegal in some countries. There are penalties if you are caught doing something illegal. The likely hood if you are just downloading/copying games for yourself is extremely low, but at least those who do it should be aware of the legalities surrounding it.

A white knight I am not (in this post!). I'm just trying to be somewhat informative.

Now I'm off to play an ISO of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night I have on ePSXe, because I can and it is legal in my country to do so since I own the original copy (not the case in the USA, as far as I know. You'd have to use the original disc in America). I like the effects that show up on my computer that my PS1/2/3 can't handle. For the record, I own the PS1 US version, the PS1 JP version, the Saturn version and have it on PSN. It is probably my favourite 1-player game.

[Opa Opa]

... it is legal in my country to do so since I own the original copy (not the case in the USA, as far as I know. You'd have to use the original disc in America).

I'm looking at the inside of the manual from Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles and here is what it says:
"IMPORTANT LEGAL INFORMATION
This Nintendo game is not designed for use with any unauthorized"...(skip to back-ups)...
"Copying of any Nintendo game is illegal and is strictly prohibited by domestic and international intellectual property laws. "Back-up" or "archival" copies are not authorized and are not necessary to protect your software. Violators will be prosecuted."
_____
This is a new game of course but I've seen similar info like that in manuals from games in past generations. I didn't see anything like it in the PlayStation manuals I just flipped through so I don't know about those.

[Hatta]

Do not trust the manuals to give you legit information about copyright. They will skew the law in their favor. There are exemptions in US copyright law that allow you to make a copy for archival purposes, or compatibility purposes, provided you own the original copy, and destroy the backup should you sell the original. I can quote chapter and section of the US copyright code if necessary. If Nintendo tells you that this is not legal, they are lying. Period.

None of this should be construed to justify piracy of course.

[YoshiEgg25]

I actually pulled out my PC copy of Mario's Early Years: Fun with Numbers last night to look at its very in-depth EULA. It said that you were allowed to make backups, but you were not allowed to keep those backups once you relinquished ownership of the game.

If anyone wants an exact quote, just ask and I can type it up.

[Opa Opa]

Do not trust the manuals to give you legit information about copyright. They will skew the law in their favor. There are exemptions in US copyright law that allow you to make a copy for archival purposes, or compatibility purposes, provided you own the original copy, and destroy the backup should you sell the original. I can quote chapter and section of the US copyright code if necessary. If Nintendo tells you that this is not legal, they are lying. Period.

I'm not saying the manual is telling you everything but it is right that it isn't "necessary to protect your software". If you own the game then you shouldn't need a back-up. (At least I don't need back-ups. Others might.)

None of this should be construed to justify piracy of course.

That's ultimately what the problem with backing up games comes down to.

[Curlypaul]

Wow this topic has totally gone of the rails. To answer the OP - yes I do enjoy collecting and although I tend to buy the games that I would like to play I also often buy games that I won't - such as iconic games that I feel 'ought' to be in collection.

I have got a couple of modded systems but if I try and play copies I always download about 20 at once, play each of them for 5 mins and then get bored. If I've paid even £1 for a game I feel to play it for longer to get my monies worth.

As regards to the rest of the argument about legality - I really dont care either way.

[Breetai]

Wow this topic has totally gone of the rails.

That's the fun of it!

[Hatta]

I'm not saying the manual is telling you everything but it is right that it isn't "necessary to protect your software". If you own the game then you shouldn't need a back-up. (At least I don't need back-ups. Others might.)

So what then, is Nintendo offering to replace broken game discs free of charge? Otherwise a back-up is necessary to protect your software. You've been lucky so far to not need protection. People who have kids around will want to protect their software. Making copies and giving those to your kids to play/ruin is the best way to do that. And it's perfectly legal despite anything Nintendo might say otherwise.

[Opa Opa]

So what then, is Nintendo offering to replace broken game discs free of charge? Otherwise a back-up is necessary to protect your software. You've been lucky so far to not need protection. People who have kids around will want to protect their software. Making copies and giving those to your kids to play/ruin is the best way to do that. And it's perfectly legal despite anything Nintendo might say otherwise.

Hmm... Haven't thought about the children. Back-ups would be a solution because I don't know how much coverage those limited warranties give you... There are too many variables for me to give any answer that satisfies both the people who want back-ups and the companies who do not want back-ups to be created. There will probably always be this struggle so thankfully I don't have to find a solution. So everyone can just do what's best for themselves.

Wow this topic has totally gone of the rails.

That's the fun of it!

I've probably only exacerbated things.