if old games are copyrighted, why are there emulators, roms, and hacks for nes, snes, sega, and n64 on the internet available for download? The reason I'm asking is because the old super mario bros, for nes is a great game but I've seen on the internet people changing the levels to make it more interesting. Do they really have permission to do this?
Starlord
Favorite Answer
Some of them have obtained permission to alter the games, and many software programs are what they call open source, that is a blanket okay to alter games or other software.
Mesofor
It's not technically legal. It is technically illegal.
But nobody really cares. Not even the original developers (unless the game was re-released on a later console). Emulators for old consoles and discontinued games are a pretty safe and acceptable product to use, even though they are not legal ways of obtaining games, in the strictest sense.
To do your part, consider supporting the game companies by buying new games when you can instead of buying used or renting.
Treyshon
Because the companies have not gone after them. The wii virtual console if it is more successful may do something.