ROM means "Read-Only-Memory". In order to call a file a "ROM", it has to be dumped from a "Read-Only-Memory"-Chip first. There are no "Read-Only-Memory"-Chips for Homebrew "ROMs". Therefore technically homebrew files are not ROMs.
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Even if the developer decide to place his copyrighted game into Public Domain, I'm not sure the ROM become legal. The ROM (extracted data from the cartridge) is still proprietary of his publisher, not the developer, right?
I think it's what could be considered for Eric Chahi's Another world.
He allowed the game's data itself to be used to make a GBA homebrew, but the Another World SNES ROM is still copyrighted by Nintendo.
And in fact, All Eric Chahi's work will still be copyrighted up to (in France) 70 year after his death counting from the first publication date. The game is not Public Domain, he only allowed the use of his own properties when someone asked him (here is the keyword, you need to author authorization
)
The PD roms you gave might be legal, I don't have any mean to verify the legality. It would need the declaration of the author to place their software in Public Domain.
If they are homebrew, they are copyrighted to their author too
Though, I removed a link as it included other menu with commercial games.
Too bad, it's a great website with a lot of news and informations for homebrew and console tools.
I think it's what could be considered for Eric Chahi's Another world.
He allowed the game's data itself to be used to make a GBA homebrew, but the Another World SNES ROM is still copyrighted by Nintendo.
And in fact, All Eric Chahi's work will still be copyrighted up to (in France) 70 year after his death counting from the first publication date. The game is not Public Domain, he only allowed the use of his own properties when someone asked him (here is the keyword, you need to author authorization
Nintendo said:
The PD roms you gave might be legal, I don't have any mean to verify the legality. It would need the declaration of the author to place their software in Public Domain.
If they are homebrew, they are copyrighted to their author too
Though, I removed a link as it included other menu with commercial games.
Too bad, it's a great website with a lot of news and informations for homebrew and console tools.
Here we go again..
The term ROM is used more often for something that isn't ROM anymore.
How about flash rom chips, and eproms or eeproms....And what about my pc bootrom...
They aren't "read only memory" anymore.
The only reason why commercial cartridges used MASK rom's or OTP rom's those days is simply because those are cheaper when you need large quantities.
A big drawback is the fact that you need to know 100% sure that your code is bugfree.
And in those day's, the flashchip technology didn't exist yet.
So if we call an old console game a ROM, everyone knows what we mean with it. No matter if it's homebrew or not.
Some people actually did make their own (eprom) cartridges those days, as it was the only possible way to test their homebrew.
Sorry Slimmmmmm, I couldn't resist.
QUOTE said:
The term ROM is used more often for something that isn't ROM anymore.
How about flash rom chips, and eproms or eeproms....And what about my pc bootrom...
They aren't "read only memory" anymore.
The only reason why commercial cartridges used MASK rom's or OTP rom's those days is simply because those are cheaper when you need large quantities.
A big drawback is the fact that you need to know 100% sure that your code is bugfree.
And in those day's, the flashchip technology didn't exist yet.
So if we call an old console game a ROM, everyone knows what we mean with it. No matter if it's homebrew or not.
Some people actually did make their own (eprom) cartridges those days, as it was the only possible way to test their homebrew.
Sorry Slimmmmmm, I couldn't resist.
Sorry Cyan for not going over all the sites well enough.
I'm only missing a few systems now and I think I may well fit everything on a 1 gb sd, I'd hope to get everything as small as possible(so no BIG collect EVERYTHING pack), I do have a few bigger cards but the purpose is to have a quick setup-and-check-emus-run-fine card/pack (backup) that IF I uploaded somewhere would be as legal as can be.
Anyway, holidays in full flow now so no time for a bit.
and yeah, my terminology sucks
I'm only missing a few systems now and I think I may well fit everything on a 1 gb sd, I'd hope to get everything as small as possible(so no BIG collect EVERYTHING pack), I do have a few bigger cards but the purpose is to have a quick setup-and-check-emus-run-fine card/pack (backup) that IF I uploaded somewhere would be as legal as can be.
Anyway, holidays in full flow now so no time for a bit.
and yeah, my terminology sucks
obcd said:Here we go again..
QUOTE said:
The term ROM is used more often for something that isn't ROM anymore.
How about flash rom chips, and eproms or eeproms....And what about my pc bootrom...
They aren't "read only memory" anymore.
The only reason why commercial cartridges used MASK rom's or OTP rom's those days is simply because those are cheaper when you need large quantities.
A big drawback is the fact that you need to know 100% sure that your code is bugfree.
And in those day's, the flashchip technology didn't exist yet.
So if we call an old console game a ROM, everyone knows what we mean with it. No matter if it's homebrew or not.
Some people actually did make their own (eprom) cartridges those days, as it was the only possible way to test their homebrew.
Sorry Slimmmmmm, I couldn't resist.
Doesn't matter, because you fail. Homebrew files are technically still not ROMs.
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