POCKET NES ROMS

[aximmanx5]

Hey, i have pocket nes, and have no games. The games i really want, i can't find. Does anybody know where i can download the super mario bros. rom? Thanks

[PetiteFlower]

If we knew, we wouldn't be allowed to tell you.

[aximmanx5]

And just why do you say that???

[delfuhd]

Technically it's quite illegal to download ROM games, because of copyright infringement, etc...

[aximmanx5]

OHHH, thanks, never knew that, new at these roms

[PetiteFlower]

It's not illegal if you own the games, and when it comes to NES games, they're not in print anymore so personally I don't think it's that big of a deal. But it IS against the rules of this site to post links for them.

[upplepop]

It's not illegal if you own the games

Where did you hear that it wasn't illegal? Nintendo states (http://www.nintendo.com/corp/faqs/legal.html#authentic)that it is illegal even if you own the original game.

[Skoobouy]

PetiteFlower,

Actually, having made an extensive search of US case law, I can say with confidence that all downloading of ROMs from the Web is unequivocally illegal, irrespective of whether you own the corresponding cartridge. Games are treated identically as books in US copyright law.

That said, I agree completely with you that "they're not in print anymore so personally I don't think it's that big of a deal."

From a perspective of the intent of copyright law (which is to protect incentives for innovation), it is egregious to treat Nintendo games legally as books. Books are vastly less expensive and easier to find even when they're out of print, compared to video game cartridges, which become instant collector's items the decade they cease manufacture.

I change my mind about the justice of old ROM downloading every year or so, but at this point I'm pretty sure the scarcity of physical cartridges, and the their financial immateriality with respect to the companies, negates any culpability of old ROM downloaders. Copyright law was not meant to impose artificial scarcity after the company is no longer interested in profitting from an artwork.

That said, there's no justification, legal or otherwise, for downloading media which is still in print and for sale. *Warily eyes projects to emulate the Gameboy Advance*.

[upplepop]

They're not in print anymore so personally I don't think it's that big of a deal.
But just because a game is out of print doesn't mean it is not economically viable anymore (If people want them, then there is a marketable demand for them). Manufactures still find ways to sell "classic" games. Out of print SNES games are being sold again for the Gameboy Advance and I see Atari games from the early 80's being sold in several different forms (hardware, (http://www.thinkgeek.com/cubegoodies/toys/5d39) PC, (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005JD6L/103-6844290-1383855?v=glance)Pocket PC (http://microsoft.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=75&jid=EA1E4397A623A6315F16X1E4B97CBADC&platformId=2&productType=2&productId=44343§ionId=3274&catalog=30)).

Are you going to keep track of the games that get re-released, delete them from your computer, and then purchase them legally? Doubt it.

[Steven Cedrone]

Wow... Aren't we a little early this month for the great ROM debate??? :wink:

Regardless, no links to ROM download sites are to be posted...

Thanks!

Steven Cedrone
Community Moderator