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Can I post Abandonware?

PostPosted: Thu, 16Dec29 23:00
by ozguy
I purchased Lover's Ecstasy many years ago. The web site for it has since disappeared and the author's contact information is no longer valid, so it is not possible to register the demo version any more.

If it is OK with the mods, I can post the demo, along with my registration info, and a file that contains all the user created databases that were released.

The game is similar to the more recent "Dare to Play 2" which likely copied the game. The origins of both games go back to an old DOS game called Intersexion.
It is basically an adult version of Monopoly, meant for 2 or more players, where instead of paying rent you can perform favors.

It is a little buggy with Win10 in that you will get a file error on each "action" but can proceed anyway. I believe it is due to the different path names in Win10.

Re: Can I post Abandonware?

PostPosted: Thu, 16Dec29 23:30
by LRM
Thank you for asking first...
I'm going to defer to the boss. Shark will surely post his desire.
Lou

Re: Can I post Abandonware?

PostPosted: Fri, 17May12 21:08
by drgong
Just wanted to say I owned this game at one time, and lost in a HD crash, and would love to see it again.

Re: Can I post Abandonware?

PostPosted: Sat, 17May20 04:58
by ozguy
Apparently Shark never posted his desire....

Re: Can I post Abandonware?

PostPosted: Sat, 17May20 06:44
by LRM
Send him a PM with a link to this thread.
Please ask he cc me if he answers by PM.
LRM

Re: Can I post Abandonware?

PostPosted: Sat, 17May20 07:40
by shark
I did not answer because I don't know if it's legal or not.
This game was released as a shareware requiring a payment to be kept. The abandonware law is very imprecise...

Re: Can I post Abandonware?

PostPosted: Sun, 17May21 10:36
by kessie8dn
In an attempt to be helpful may I draw attention to the English law regarding treasure trove which is along the lines of: If the treasure has been deliberately hidden with the intention of being recovered later then it belongs to the person who hid it or to anyone entitled to inherit from them. If however a treasure is simply lost or abandoned it belongs to the finder (and/or the person whos land it was on).

This applies whether the original owner is dead or alive. The onus on the loser being to prove in court that he/she did not intend to abandon it.

The implication being anyone who abandons ownership of something forfeits any subsequent right to claim it.

Re: Can I post Abandonware?

PostPosted: Sun, 17May21 17:17
by scrumbles
Afaik abandonware software is still protected by copyright laws for at least 50 years (it depends on the country). Even abandonware sites do not claim it to be legal: it is at most tolerated, but it is still piracy.

I suggest you to submit the game to an abandonware site, such as www.abandonia.com or www.abandonware-france.org: once the game is accepted, you can mention here the site where the game can be downloaded (no direct links to the game: just the site).

Probably I am paranoic, I know, but better safe than sorry. During the last years, many dead games have been reborn, thanks to Steam, or they have been adapted to mobile phones. ;)

Re: Can I post Abandonware?

PostPosted: Sun, 17May21 23:37
by Greyelf
scrumbles wrote:...is still protected by copyright laws...

Copyright ownership generally doesn't expire, it is the excursive usage or ability to conditionally licence that usage of the copyrighted 'item' that expires.

eg. The original creator (or their legal representative / entity the copyright was transferred to) still owns the copyright on the said creation, after a period of time other people are allowed usage of the creation without having to first get the permission of the copyright holder to do so.

Re: Can I post Abandonware?

PostPosted: Mon, 17May22 00:17
by kessie8dn
...but if anyone has any vested interest in this copyright they can only take it up with the site that is sharing the application

If I listen to music in a bar that doesn't have a performance licence it's the bar owner who is at fault, not me

Re: Can I post Abandonware?

PostPosted: Thu, 17Aug03 02:26
by Frank
Copy right law varies from nation to nation as well.