Collectible, history, or theft

[mos6507]

Doesn't this story remind you of the debate over the legality of prototypes and the profiteering therein?

 

 

 

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/02/15/...4927854532.html

[MegaManFan]

I saw that article on the news the other day, and quite honestly I don't think it's comporable at all. These were reels stolen directly from a studio. The only comparison would be if back in the 80's somebody had gone to Atari Labs and stolen a bunch of their prototypes, and was trying to sell them for millions now. Obviously, none of the prototypes people have now are stolen - they were "lab loaners" mailed out to journalists or copies given to playtesters that were never destroyed when returned. I bet you there's not a single "stolen" prototype in Matt's entire collection.

[CPUWIZ]

Hmm, technically since they are loaner carts and some of my protos came from 2600 programmers, they are stolen because they were never returned to the lab.

 

It's just that nobody cares, they are still protos.

[MegaManFan]

Hmm, technically since they are loaner carts and some of my protos came from 2600 programmers, they are stolen because they were never returned to the lab.  

 

If nobody ever demanded they be returned, they're not stolen. They were freely given out, and quite honestly it's no different than promo CD's sent to record reviewers and radio stations - it would be far too time-consuming and expensive for them to ask that every one be mailed back. They only put the legal mumbo jumbo about them being "loaned" for tax purposes and so if there was ever any real issue about something being offensive they could recall them if needed. This happened to me one and only one time my entire career as a college radio DJ - the Insane Clown Posse's label asked for a return of "The Great Milenko" and the group was subsequently dropped from the label. Less than a month later they had been picked up by somebody else and re-released the same album in it's entirety.

[CPUWIZ]

If I loan you a CD and you don't return it without me asking for it, you'd still be stealing it.

[MegaManFan]

If I loan you a CD and you don't return it without me asking for it, you'd still be stealing it.  

 

Ahh, but if you asked for it back, I'd return it right away without a moment's thought of it. And if YOU loaned me a CD and hadn't asked for it back I'd probably send you a message and say, "Hey R - when do you want this CD back you loaned me?" Now tell me - you're a record or a game reviewer, and a company sends you a promo copy for review. Are you really going to phone them up and say, "Hey when you want this promo back you loaned me?" They'd laugh right in your face if you did.

 

And BTW, unless you're playing devil's advocate here, mail all your Atari Protos back to Atari Labs c/o Consumer Dvision; 1195 Borregas Ave., Sunnyvale CA 94086.

[CPUWIZ]

Actually, I am just being pedantic but there has been cases where entire videogame magazines were shut down (poof - disappeared) because of this very issue.

 

Hmm, I would send them back to Atari if they reimburse me the thousands and thousands of dollars I paid for them.

 

... on second thought - maybe not.

[MegaManFan]

Actually, I am just being pedantic but there has been cases where entire videogame magazines were shut down (poof - disappeared) because of this very issue.  

 

And if there were game companies asking for their loaners back (rare as it is, I'd believe it could happen) and they weren't being returned, there would be good reason to be. I'd never heard of it happening though - which magazines were? Most magazines close their doors for a lack of profitability or the high cost of printing; theft would be a first for me (and as a journalism graduate I would have hoped to hear or read about it before now).

 

Hmm, I would send them back to Atari if they reimburse me the thousands and thousands of dollars I paid for them.    

 

... on second thought - maybe not.  

 

LOL.

[angusjake]

Hmm, technically since they are loaner carts and some of my protos came from 2600 programmers, they are stolen because they were never returned to the lab.  

 

 

If nobody ever demanded they be returned, they're not stolen

 

OK - this will serve as OFFICAL NOTICE to all persons in possession of prototypes (you are not actually 'owners') - this is a demand that they be returned within 7 days or they will be considered stolen property. All people retaining prototypes will be subject to full prosecution (given the value, this may constitute a felony in some states). If you are unable to return them to the original owner, you can return them to me and I will hold them in trust for the original owner (the alternative is your local law enforcement agency). That way you will have a clear conscience. Contact me for more information about this limited-time-offer which offers a full amnesty to current prototype-holders.

[doron]

Hi guys

 

I wonder if game carts will be as demanded some day. I think it's important to note, that the availablility of bootlegs of those reels, wouldn't set their price down (hint, hint).

[raindog]

Let's see..... the last recordings of maybe the most popular and influential rock band in history.... versus a not-quite-playable Miss Piggy's Wedding.

 

Hmmmmmmmmm.