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Archive.org Adds Close To 2,400 DOS Games
New submitter Bugamn writes Archive.org has added a new library of DOS games. The games are playable on the browser through EM-DOSBOX, a port of the DOS emulator. The games are provided without instructions, so some experimentation (or search for old manuals) might be necessary. The library does not mention any copyright concerns, although some of the games can be found for sale on sites such as Steam and GoG.
They've got Master of Orion. Ok I'm just going to close up this story, walk away and pretend I didn't see it, before I go looking for Star Control and lose the next 4 months of my life to those games again.
I'm trying to teach myself to set people on fire with my mind... Is it hot in here?
The real problem is that when archive.org gets sued into oblivion over this it's going to take the good stuff with the bad.
If I have been able to see further than others, it is because I bought a pair of binoculars.
The Internet Archive has a laudable goal, but these days they seem to just be shooting for straight-up piracy, not only hosting copies of games that are still for sale, but making them playable right on their site... I mean, they've got Street Fighter II in their arcade section...
To be honest, I'm shocked nobody has sued them yet. They really don't have any fair use defense.
See, this is how the Copyright Cartels want you to think. It's not piracy, and it is fair use. If a owner of any of the software has a problem, they can ask for it to be removed.
Be seeing you...
It doesn't matter if it's fair use or not.
It's historical preservation.
"Arguing the law" here is silly. As a crime, NO ONE cares. As a tort, no one seems to be willing to step forward. Until they do, you can't say there are any damages. Even then, what would those damages even be?
There is simply no basis for "pretentious moral outrage".
A Pirate and a Puritan look the same on a balance sheet.
There is simply no basis for "pretentious moral outrage".
Right...
"Arguing the law" here is silly. As a crime, NO ONE cares.
No, it should be the exact opposite. Pretending that the law happens to agree with one's lack of moral concern is not how one should react to this, but isntead realizing how stupid the law is that it still says it is illegal.
And you're clearly going to be shocked if you ever learn how a library actually works.
Hint: the books (and CDs, and DVDs, and games) on the shelves are legally purchased copies, and are lent to a single patron at a time. They are not printouts of torrented epubs.
I love the Internet Archive but I seriously have no idea what they think they're doing here.
---- Den ene knappen er powerknapp, den andre er Bender voice knapp "Bite My Shiny Metal Ass"