I’m hesitant to post this, but through the wonders of moderation I can fix my error if it turns out to be so.
So I was thinking, right: Is it actually legal to put up the Panzer games (or any game that isn’t being produced any more) for download? I’m no expert on this law, but I’ve heard that once a company stops producing something, you could effectively share it in the public domain.
I would’ve thought that such a venture would undermine the copyright holder’s sales if the product were to be re-released (Sega Ages etc), so I’m thinking I heard wrong. Also, once a copyright has expired (they do expire, right?) how would we stand then?
Just curious. Feel free to flame.
Google the definition of abandonware, though in short you’re right, you heard wrong.
SEGA still owns the copyrights to the Panzer games, so no, TWOTA wouldn’t be able to legally have them available for download.
I wonder though, how much trouble do you think we’d get in if we did have them available? SEGA isn’t making money off the franchise anymore, and having them here could potentially increase awareness of the series to more people, which would be good for both SEGA and Panzer fans.
Heh, suddenly it doesn’t seem like such a bad idea…
Thanks for clearing that up for me Alex.
It is a really good idea, for us (apart from the whole illegal thing). Obviously Sega have to protect their interests, but what exactly are they doing with the franchise right now? I do so hate it when companies sit on copyrights just for the sake of it.
Think how much money would be made from people downloading something like PDS. Say ?5 a time and you’ve a winner. The problem with that is that you have to develop a platform for the games to run on, though…
Maybe breaking the law would actually stir something up on the PD side of things!! Who said crime doesn’t pay??!
I don’t like the idea of the site being shut down from Sega legal action. That would pretty much define lame. Companies tend to turn a blind eye to things which do not harm them but if one person contacts Sega about it, they are legally required to send a cease & desist letter or else they can lose the copyright (which would not be so good).
However, if someone created a torrent and posted it on the forums it could be considered out of the hands of the site itself… hint hint
Copyrights are currently in a very awkward state for video games, all computer software really. I do not think it will become public domain anytime soon (ie within 25 years). It is a shame because I think more people MUST play Saga.
[quote=“Shadow”]Also, once a copyright has expired (they do expire, right?)
[/quote]
Yeah as just said, not likely to be within the next 25 years. Some last for 100 years or so, would be kind of difficult.
Not a bad idea though. I feel sorry for those who never got a chance to play PDS and have only heard about it.
It’s like all those Shining Force 3 scenario 2 and 3 videos I watch -.-
Good example. I hope Sega don’t wonder why those games get pirated 
Behind the scenes I doubt they would make an issue out of pirating defunct games. But it is their IP so I doubt they’d condone it either.
If they could potentially make money off it in the future, then sure, let’s not go there. It’s not really the case here though.
But again, the future is never certain.
Yeah as just said, not likely to be within the next 25 years. Some last for 100 years or so, would be kind of difficult.
Not a bad idea though. I feel sorry for those who never got a chance to play PDS and have only heard about it.
It’s like all those Shining Force 3 scenario 2 and 3 videos I watch -.-[/quote]
Copyright on Creation lasts 75 Years after the death of the creators of the work.
However a Patent and trademarks will last as long as someone owns them. So as long as SEGA are around, or someone owns the Panzer Dragoon trademarks, Panzer Dragoon will not end up in the public domain.
Unless of course, the owner (Currently SEGA) themselves, decide to release it.
What’s more important - a few people being able to sell their copies of PDS for ridiculous amounts of money on eBay or for many more people to be given the opportunity to experience an artistic piece of gaming culture via the sharing of the game over the Internet?
Saying that, Panzer Dragoon Saga won’t be appearing on The Will of the Ancients anytime soon due to legal reasons. But good topic Shadow.
Not to mention that even if it did appear, the number of people who would actually download and play it would still be tiny. Let’s face it, everyone who really wanted to play this has already attempted and potentially managed to pirate it years ago. But the game still has this limited audience we know of. Without a proper re-release (and the fanfare all that includes) either as free or as a remake retail release or without any sort of marketing push, we’re still only going to be discussing the game among the existing fans and not all that many newcomers.
Why not give a copy of PDS to Sega and tell how much you guys really want a remake of it? Afterall, they say they lost the game formula of it.
