273
TIL there is an open source port of Prince of Persia (github.com)
submitted 3 years ago by to c/retrogaming@lemmy.world
27 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Based on disassembly of the PC DOS version, this port runs on PC, Mac and Linux and features many enhancements such as quick saving and the ability to mod the game including level design.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] 21 points 3 years ago (11 children)

So it's not quite as clear cut as this. This is why even nintendo disassembly projects survive. There are allowances for this kind of thing.

https://repository.uclawsf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1099&context=hastings_science_technology_law_journal is a good representation of the legalities around disassemblies

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 11 child comments
    •
  • [+] -9 points 3 years ago (10 children)

    So it’s not quite as clear cut as this.

    You cannot change the license of a derivative work. That part is clear cut.

    I cannot take a Harry Potter book, use Google Translate to translate it into another language, polish up the result by hand, and then claim it as my work at slap whatever license I like on it.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 10 child comments
    •
  • [–] 18 points 3 years ago (9 children)

    If you read the linked document, it outlines how reverse engineering may fall under a certain level of fair use, e.g. for reasearch and/or backup/archival purposes.

    It really isn't as clear-cut as it seems at first.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 9 child comments
    •
  • [+] -7 points 3 years ago (8 children)

    Yes, fair use and such. But slapping the GPL on the result is not fair use and archival. That you cannot do.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 8 child comments
    •
  • [–] 6 points 3 years ago (7 children)

    Your changes can be gpl licensed, similar to how a rom hack can be licensed however you want.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 7 child comments
    •
  • [–] -2 points 3 years ago (6 children)

    Your changes can be gpl licensed, similar to how a rom hack can be licensed however you want.

    Read the GPL and what it has to say about derivative works which this undeniably is.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 6 child comments
    •
  • [–] 2 points 3 years ago (5 children)

    I've been in the open source software world for multiple decades. I am well aware of the gpl and what it has to say about derivative works.

    You seem a little confused however, though I feel like you are just desperately trying to wrangle an angle where you can totes win and you were never wrong. It's really annoying to get into a conversation online like that.

    Anyway, incase anyone else gets here, this guy is just endlessly wrong. Ignore.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 5 child comments
    •
  • [–] 0 points 3 years ago (2 children)

    I'm not wrong. You cannot just slap the GPL on disassembled proprietary software. That's a fact. Ask your lawyer.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
    •
  • [–] 0 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    just desperately trying to wrangle an angle where you can totes win

    this guy is just endlessly wrong

    Pity you haven't made an effort to prove what you're saying and seem to be just desperately trying to wrangle an angle where you can totes win.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
    •