THE ETHICS BEHIND ABANDONWAREPRESENATION BY: JENNIFER GROSS, CODY DRISKILL, AND DANIUL BYRD

WHAT IS ABANDONWARE?

• “Computer software that is no longer distributed or supported by the developer or copyright holder”

• Types:

• Software that has aged and no longer supported or sold

• Company that published no longer exists (ORPHANED)

EXAMPLES• Aged • Orphaned

System Shock

Zak McKracken

IS USING ABANDONWARE ETHICAL?

• Technically, no.

• But the company does not always enforce

• Ignorant

• Expensive

• Lenient

BENEFITS OF ABANDONWARE

• Profitable for Companies

• Re-release

• Hype-up current releases

• Nostalgia value

ABANDONWARE SITES

• Make older software available

• Occasionally have source code for the software

• Not-For-Profit software

• Remove the software when re-released

• http://www.abandonia.com/en/game/all/Abandonware

WHAT RIGHTS DO WE HAVE?

• Unless copyrighted, trademarked, or patented, none.

• Owner reserves the right to respectful request the software to be removed.

• Site owner normally complies

PRESENT DAY EXAMPLE

• Flappy Bird

• Published then removed.

• Clones were created and published.

• Multiple companies are competing to obtain intellectual property rights.

• What rights does the owner have?

EXAMPLE

RIGHTS?

• Copyright covered

• Art

• Audio

• Trademark

• Name

• Not Covered

• Concept

WHAT’S THIS HAVE TO DO WITH ABANDONWARE?

• Flappy Bird was pulled down from the market and no longer being supported.

• The clones are legal.

• Ethically, cash grabs.

WHAT’S THIS HAVE TO DO WITH ME?

• We are all going into software development of one form or another. Its important to know the difference between what is and is not abandonware. As well as how to handle abandonware when we encounter it.

REFERENCES

Chappell, Les. "The Vintage Game Preservation Society." The Escapist. Alloy Digital, 25 Nov. 2008.

Leonard, Jim. "Abandonware In A Nutshell: Why Nobody Wins." Moby Games. Blue Flame Labs, 2000.

 Krouse, Kevin. "Flappy Bird Could Fly Again Thanks to Trademark Vultures." ISource. 17 Feb. 2014.

 Sigall, Jule. "Report on Orphan Works." United State Copyright Office. Library of Congress, Jan. 2006.

 "The Abandonware FAQ V6." The Official Abandonware Ring. Macecraft Software, 2006.