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--- freely_available_systems [2013/09/07 16:36]
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+++ freely_available_systems [2019/05/28 21:50] (current)
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 ====== Freely Available Systems ======
-The following systems supported by MESS have had permission granted by their respective copyright owners for free distribution of the system ROMs (and sometimes other software as well). Note that such permission generally does not extend to third-party software or add-ons, and usually still prohibits commercial use (which is also prohibited by the [[http://mamedev.org/legal.html|MESS license]]). Please read the individual permission letters for specifics and consult an actual lawyer before relying on anything.
+The following systems supported by MESS have had permission granted by their respective copyright owners for free distribution of the system ROMs (and sometimes other software as well). Note that such permission generally does not extend to third-party software or add-ons, and usually still prohibits commercial use. Please read the individual permission letters for specifics and consult an actual lawyer before relying on anything.
 ===== Amstrad / Sinclar =====
@@ Line 258: / Line 258: @@
 </file>
+----
+====== PENDING ======
+===== Myarc Geneve 9640 =====
+According to Michael Zapf, everything belonging to the Geneve 9640 (Boot EPROM and Geneve OS) Myarc Inc. transferred all rights to a third party by a buy-out in the nineties and these current active maintainers gave their consent to redistribution.
+===== Psion 2 Organiser and others =====
+The [[http://web.archive.org/web/19990427201447/http://users.aol.com/psionorg/index.htm|Psion 2 Organiser Emulator (ORG2.EXE)]] published by Paul Robson circa 1998 came with a statement in the READ.ME file which stated about the included ROMs that "These Psion 2 Organiser ROM Images are distributed by kind permission of Psion Computers Ltd. Please do not include copies of these images on your own site. Copyright of these ROMs is retained."
+We have already asked Paul Robson who he had emailed to obtain this permission, but his email records do not date back that far. However, he verified that he had emailed someone within Psion Computers Ltd. and they did not see anything wrong with distribution but did not release them as public domain.
+Intellectual property rights of Psion Computers Ltd. these days are, we believe, in the hands of Motorola.
+===== Texas Instruments TI-99/4A and TI-99/8 =====
+Supposedly Texas Instruments can grant websites permission to distribute TI-99/4A BIOS ROMs, cartridges, other first-party software, and even manual scans for personal use (at least) though definitely not extending to the third-parties that also made software for the TI-99/4A.
+Example:
+[[https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/ti99-4a/conversations/messages/4682]]
+regarding: [[http://www.99er.net/wwwboard1/messages/685.html]]
+<file>
+For those titles that TI owns the copyright in,
+TI does not object to your distribution. If the software title
+contains a copyright statement indicating TI copyright ownership
+you may be able to assume TI ownership.
+...
+Regards,
+Herbert W. Foster
+E&PS Business Services
+</file>
+However, it is believed there is an even older permission granted somewhere, included with one of the early TI-99 emulators as a included document, perhaps.
+Other TI-99/4A emulator authors supposedly with permission include [[http://www.harmlesslion.com/cgi-bin/onesoft.cgi?10|Classic99]] ([[http://www.harmlesslion.com/HLsup/viewtopic.php?p=341#p341|See the author's explanation here]]) and also [[http://www.cadd99.com|PC99]] (who actually sells them all on a DVD with other associated documentation).
+Furthermore, Texas Instruments granted permission to distribute TI-99/8 ROMs to this guy:
+[[https://groups.google.com/d/topic/comp.sys.ti/SQ0CkVK9IOw/discussion]]
+<file>
+TI is pleased to grant you permission to copy and distribute any TI
+copyrighted program written specifically for the TI-99/8 home
+computer, including the ROM for the console. This permission is
+conditioned upon your agreement not to alter the copyright notice in
+the program and to include the copyright notice with each copy you
+make and distribute. This permission does not apply to any program
+bearing the copyright notice of any party other than TI. You agree
+to include a separate notice with each copy you distribute that such
+distribution is made under license from Texas Instruments.
+TI makes no warranty with respect to the program and is under no
+obligation to provide any support or assistance with respect to the
+programs. TI is under no obligation to provide upgrades to the
+programs.
+TI accepts no liability with respect to your use, coping or
+distribution of the programs.
+Regards,
+Herbert W. Foster
+Manager, E&PS Business Services
+</file>
+Also, [[http://www.99er.net|99er.net]] has permission to distribute scans of TI-99/4A manuals: [[http://www.99er.net/files/TIpermission.pdf]]
+<file>
+From: Abbott, Fred
+Sent: Monday, September 27, 1999 5:46 PM
+Subject: Putting 99/4A info on Web Site
+I just got the word back that your putting obsolete manuals on your
+web site would not be a problem for us.
+Fred Abbott
+-800-842-2737
+</file>
+However, in the past Texas Instruments has also sent cease-and-desist letters and/or DMCA takedown notices regarding their graphing calculator ROMs and signing keys, so this does not extend to other intellectual property of theirs.
+In addition, it should be noted that with regards to the distribution of Texas Instruments TI-99/4A ROMs, software or manuals, we still need to contact them and ask for permission to distribute them. We cannot take someone else's permission (Classic99's, PC99's) as our own.
+Finally, this permission (if granted) only covers the ROMs and software and manuals that Texas Instruments holds under copyright for the TI-99/4A and TI-99/8. This does not extend to third-party software for these platforms, although it is believed that a few third-party publishers also stepped forward over the years to offer permission to distribute their software freely as well (which requires further investigation).
+It appears the department to talk to regarding permission is TI's Educational & Productivity Solutions Division, Business Services department.
+It's unknown if Herbert W. Foster is still there. According to the DMCA takedown notices of 2009-2010, he was still with them then. We could try contacting:
+> Texas Instruments Incorporated
+> Herbert W. Foster
+> Manager, Business Services
+> Education Technology Group
+> (972) 917-1522
+> h-foster@...
+That said, if that does not work, we would instead need to drill through their customer support:
+[[http://education.ti.com/en/us/customer-support/support_contact]]

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