4 ms·
It's legal to download and use ROMs or console BIOS dumps if you own the original hardware/game [1] (although this is controversial and officially disputed by N
by bendmorris 13y ago
It's legal to download and use ROMs or console BIOS dumps if you own the original hardware/game [1] (although this is controversial and officially disputed by Nintendo). But that doesn't give you permission to modify and redistribute them - the games are still under copyright.
I think the reason Nintendo doesn't stop you from playing ROMs is similar to the reason HBO doesn't stop everyone from downloading Game of Thrones - it would be just about impossible. It doesn't mean they condone it.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_emulator#Legal_issues https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_emulator#Legal_issu...
- tedunangst 13y agoThe citation for that comes from the Game Genie case, which is a little different. You're free to copy and modify the game hardware you own. But strictly speaking, I'm not sure that extends to a copy of similar game hardware. (i.e., if you and I both own a DVD and you rip it, can you give me that rip? It's a copy of your DVD, not my DVD. I don't know if this has been settled one way or the other.)