I expected to come home to droves of email on this, but in lieu of it
I'll send one of my own. Today's news makes me think one might need to
rethink their 7800 dev.
Optimistic difference:
These are cloned games on live systems, not original games on dead
systems. The stakes are just a bit higher in this arena. Still, it
might be worth peskering Hasbro to "open" the 7800 just to be in the free
and clear.
http://www.fgnonline.com/news/11861.html
>
>Industry: Hasbro Interactive and its subsidiary Atari Interactive have
>filed suit in federal court to enforce the companies' copyrights to some
>of the world's most popular computer and videogames.
>The complaint alleges that eGames, GT Interactive and several others have
>blatantly copied games for which Hasbro Interactive owns the exclusive
>copyrights. These games include Centipede, Asteroids and Missile Command
>among others. The complaint also names Xtreme Games, MVP Software, Webfoot
>Technologies and Varcon Systems.
>"Hasbro Interactive has the best brands and content in this business and
>we will vigorously protect what is rightfully ours," said President Tom
>Dusenberry. "Consumers should be aware that the companies named in this
>suit are making games based on properties they don't own or control."
>Titles in question include TetriMania and Mac-Man, which Hasbro believes
>are "obvious knock-offs" of Tetris and Pac-Man, which are both under
>license to Hasbro Interactive.
>"Games such as Tetris, Pac-Man and the Atari titles Missile Command and
>Centipede are immensely popular because their rightful owners and
>licensees have invested resources to develop and promote them," added
>Dusenberry.
>Hasbro's General Counsel Barry Nagler said, "Content is Hasbro's core
>business and other companies don't have the right to profit from the
>success of our intellectual properties. We're committed to protecting our
>brands and licenses to the full extent of the law."
>The complaint seeks to require the defendants to cease production and
>distribution of, and to recall and destroy, the following games:
>Intergalactic Exterminator, 3D Astro Blaster, TetriMania, TetriMania
>Master, 3D Maze Man, Tunnel Blaster, , Xtris, Patriot Command, HemiRoids,
>Bricklayer, 3D TetriMadness, Mac-Man, 3D Munch Man, and 3D Munch Man II.
>Hasbro Interactive is also seeking damages.
--
Ruffin Bailey | rufbo@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
IMG Staff Writer | Program 4 the Atari 2600 on your Mac!
www.insidemacgames.com | http://knightswhosay.mine.nu/
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