Re: Good 'ole Ware

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

Jim Cullen writes ...

 ....

> I can't see a reason not to release any old software to public domain
> (or freeware)....especially with the growing popularity of emulation
> software. I know there may be some old titles re-released for newer
> systems, but I'm mainly refering to the versions for older systems like
> the A2 or C64.  ...and if for whatever reason any such company or
> copyright holder would be unwilling to reclassify certain software, then
> perhaps they can possibly re-release these older titles as a
> package....similar to what Activision did with the Infocom
> titles.....but in emulator format. (which can be tranferred back to the
> real machine anyhow)  I'm sure there would be some market for this...
> Sierra did something like that for thier King's Quest set...with an
> AppleII emulator that ran Mystery House.  If something like this is
> already in progress..then great..if not, then does it sound like a
> decent idea?  The Treasure Chest Project has been doing a wonderful job
> thus far. I was wondering if they had talked to those previously
> mentioned companies.

 ....


     You may be sure that the Treasure Chest Project (Willie Yeo) and
others (e.g. Dr. Tom) have contacted many past Apple II software makers
such as those you list. One reason progress is not as rapid as one might
wish is inertia. The companies which own the software obtain no obvious
gain in making it freeware and dealing with the paperwork and emails is
a bother.

     As you note, some old wares are being released in packages for
running on PC. Apple II versions of these are less likely to become
freeware because that could weaken copyright protection for the for-PC
versions. In any case, someone at the owning company would have to
consider the possibility and that is the kind of bother a company would
just as soon avoid.

     Regarding the idea of selling old A2 wares specifically targeted
for A2 emulators running on PC, there seems to be little incentive. The
sellers would need to be concerned about compatibilities across several
popular emulators, host machines, and configurations. It would be quite
a bit of hassle to reach a small market.

     Meanwhile, the current arrangement for handling non-freeware Apple
II oldies works well. On the one hand, users are free to download disk
images from archive sites. On the other, companies which own the
copyrights retain full rights protection, get free advertising, avoid
being pestered by users looking for a game, and can have any title
delisted from an archive whenever they wish.

     Of course, the ideal solution for any game, etc. oldie is the
Treasure Chest approach. It is much easier to distribute software and
documentation for items declared to be freeware or, even better,
declared to be in the public domain.



Rubywand