legalities over selling a repro.

level42level42
in Help Wanted!
I'm just trying to find a bit of information here.



How are people allowed to sell repro games? Are there not copywrite laws in place to prevent this?



I'm asking because, I've created a repro game for myself, and I would love to sell a couple of copies, but I'm unsure how to go about's selling it.



Does anyone have any light on this situation?



Thanks.

Comments

  • SwiftFrostSwiftFrost
    Objectively it is illegal. The morality of it is more subjective.
  • BouncekDeLemosBouncekDeLemos

    Originally posted by: LukeAF24



    Objectively it is illegal. The morality of it is more subjective.

    Couldn't have said better. The legality issue of it: It's not a gray area, it IS illegal.






  • level42level42
    So, then how does the NA community feel about repros? Do you guys frown upon them?
  • PhearedPhoolPhearedPhool

    Originally posted by: level42



    So, then how does the NA community feel about repros? Do you guys frown upon them?





    From my time here it has seemed to boil down to:



    1. If you are making a reproduction then it needs to be clearly printed onto the label so that there is no doubt in the future that it is a reproduction.



    2. If you are making reproductions to try and pass off as original copies and screw people over, then we bring out the pitchforks.



    3. You need to tell anyone when you are selling the reproduction incase they don't see it on the label.
  • level42level42
    My reproduction is of a game that never exsisted to begin with.



    It's kind of number 2 (Minus the screw others over part), it was designed to be as accurate to an original as possible, and contains no indication of it being a "Repro" other then the fact that it doesn't exsist otherwise.



  • retrofixesretrofixes

    Originally posted by: level42



    So, then how does the NA community feel about repros? Do you guys frown upon them?



    Its a big debate and if you search you will find at-least 2 recent threads.



    Personally I own a bunch and enjoy having them in my collection. I will most likely never sell them. 



    Because A:  I had the worst experience ever with obtaining the games from a Repro maker here, slow process,ignored emails and I didn't receive all my games ordered. My experience from 2 transactions with them.  Seriously ticked off (popular NA member)   I do not wish this experience again, so I will not let these games go..



    and B: I want to avoid the legal/moral issue and simply not sell them.



    On a side note I do fully support the reproduction of service carts and test carts.  These are a real asset to Techs.




  • BouncekDeLemosBouncekDeLemos

    Originally posted by: level42



    So, then how does the NA community feel about repros? Do you guys frown upon them?

    It's fine as long as it's not a 1:1 as mentioned. Stuff like homebrew, hacks, translations, prototypes, copies of unlicensed Chinese games, or games that never existed in this region seems to be okay here.



    Heck, I even make labels and the art for repros and homebrews here.




  • level42level42
    That's awesome, glad to see there's some support around here. I'll probably stick to selling them within NA directly, to help stay under the radar. And I'll be sure to have them 100% finished in hand before even offering them (this way there's no delay for the buyer).



    Detailed photos will be available at time of completion. Now I just need to sort out materials and printing ...
  • mkiker2089mkiker2089
    If it never existed then it's not a repro. That would be a homebrew. That's easier here because no one can be fooled by a homebrew unless they are really not paying attention. Homebrews with popular characters would still be a copyright issue technically but walking the line is fine.
  • teh lurvteh lurv
    Keep in mind repros of games that were released in North America like Dracula X or Little Samson are heavily frowned upon here, even with a custom label that is marked as a reproduction. Unreleased games, hacks, and NTSC repros of games sold only in other regions are fine.
  • pujolsfanpujolsfan
    Looks like you did a nice job with yours. The lines on your red Nintendo logo are kinda thick though (not that you were asking).



    I think most people on here would be fine if you sold a small amount of them.
  • D~FunkD~Funk
    I use to be ok with repros when i first started picking up Timewalk games but as the years go on im seeing how it can be more of a negative thing. Your game looks fine, i see no problem with creating a new game like that. Or even being able to play a game in English on my us snes that never came out here. What i cant stand is the people recreating games that already exist here and not clearly marking if its a repro or not and then charging out the ass for em as if they were legit. I was just in my local retro game store and saw two repro copies of hagane for $200 each. I feel sorry for the person who buys that. And who knows what'll happen when that gets out in the wild.
  • sadikyosadikyo
    So what is the game you are trying to sell? All I see are the pokemon pictures.



    EDIT:  Ah, I'm not really into Pokemon that much.  I guess it's the Pokemon green.
  • LincolnLincoln

    Originally posted by: dqualls187



    I use to be ok with repros when i first started picking up Timewalk games but as the years go on im seeing how it can be more of a negative thing. Your game looks fine, i see no problem with creating a new game like that. Or even being able to play a game in English on my us snes that never came out here. What i cant stand is the people recreating games that already exist here and not clearly marking if its a repro or not and then charging out the ass for em as if they were legit. I was just in my local retro game store and saw two repro copies of hagane for $200 each. I feel sorry for the person who buys that. And who knows what'll happen when that gets out in the wild.



    I'd complain about that and if they held their ground I'd consider calling the police. 


  • D~FunkD~Funk
    Originally posted by: Lincoln


    Originally posted by: dqualls187



    I use to be ok with repros when i first started picking up Timewalk games but as the years go on im seeing how it can be more of a negative thing. Your game looks fine, i see no problem with creating a new game like that. Or even being able to play a game in English on my us snes that never came out here. What i cant stand is the people recreating games that already exist here and not clearly marking if its a repro or not and then charging out the ass for em as if they were legit. I was just in my local retro game store and saw two repro copies of hagane for $200 each. I feel sorry for the person who buys that. And who knows what'll happen when that gets out in the wild.



    I'd complain about that and if they held their ground I'd consider calling the police. 






    Ive been thinking about it. They aren't marked at all besides it being written on the price tag. I just don't understand why a pretty legit retro game store would be ok with it. It turned me off and i left after i saw em without trading in my box of games I'd brought.
  • PikkonPikkon
    I think any repro game that is sold on here should be marked as reproduction,some of the games I have seen on here look very much official,should be toned down a bit.
  • goldendark007goldendark007
    Sell me one!!!!!!!
  • level42level42

    Originally posted by: pujolsfan



    Looks like you did a nice job with yours. The lines on your red Nintendo logo are kinda thick though (not that you were asking).



    I think most people on here would be fine if you sold a small amount of them.

    This was the first print I made which was super low res, I have since redone the artwork at 300dpi and is much cleaner, sharper and more accurate. Thanks for the comments




    Originally posted by: goldendark007



    Sell me one!!!!!!!

    I will keep you in mind if I complete this and decided to go ahead with selling. Thanks!
  • pujolsfanpujolsfan
    I wouldn't be opposed to seeing the words "english translation" somewhere on the box. It doesn't have to be huge or take away from the art itself. Maybe even put it on the cart where the code would normally be. "DMG-English Translation-USA-1" Something along those lines.
  • level42level42

    Originally posted by: pujolsfan



    I wouldn't be opposed to seeing the words "english translation" somewhere on the box. It doesn't have to be huge or take away from the art itself. Maybe even put it on the cart where the code would normally be. "DMG-English Translation-USA-1" Something along those lines.



    My goal was to make this, literally, as close to "what it would have been" as possible.



    I was thinking of adding something to the edge of the flap (Noticeable when you open the box), perhaps I'll put that info in there.


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