are ROMs allowed?

I currently am a part of a ROM site within the US and we're been complying with gaming organizations (read: ESA) about removing certain franchises from our database. Does Dreamhost allow ROMs on the server or is that a violation of the TOS? I didn't see anything specific when I read over it.

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Does Dreamhost allow ROMs on the server or is that a violation of the TOS? I didn't see anything specific when I read over it.

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I'm not sure whether you are serious with this question, or if you are just wanting to discuss the subject here.

ROMS are like any other code. It's all a matter of copyright and intellectual property laws. Dreamhost's TOS is actually very clear and about as specific as it gets, in relevant part:

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LAWFUL PURPOSE

1. Customer may only use DreamHost Webhosting's Server for lawful purpose. Transmission of any material in violation of any Country, Federal, State or Local regulation is prohibited. To this effect, child pornography is strictly prohibited as well as housing any copyrighted information (to which the customer does not hold the copyright) on DreamHost Webhosting's Server.

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If any of those terms are confusing to you, you can find *lots* of resources on the web about the legal aspects of copyright, including the ESA's FAQ page, which, even if it *is* on a trade group's website, is very accurate.

Hey, I'm not saying it's "right" but "it is what it is" (don't shoot the messenger).

edit: Double wow - double simultaneous edits, too! ha!

--rlparker

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Does Dreamhost allow ROMs on the server or is that a violation of the TOS?

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DreamHost basically allows you to host whatever you like, as long as it complies with the laws of the United States.

If you own the copyright for the ROMs, or have permission from the legitimate copyright holders, then you should be OK.

Having said this, for an authoritive answer to your question you should contact DreamHost using the form linked below;

http://www.dreamhost.com/contact.cgi

Edit: wow! simultaneous posts :)

Mark

Yeah, I used the contact form to get a definitive answer. Thanks.

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I used the contact form to get a definitive answer.

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That is probably the best course of action in the circumstances. I've found that, when there is any doubt, it is always best to ask :)

Good luck.

Mark

If you and other potential new users have any legal concerns, it's always better to have an official reply, and keep that email. We at the forums can help regarding usual matters, but we can't give legal advice. Most of us are just users like you :)

Best of luck!

DreamHost $97 discount code: 97promo лл Check other codes on DreamHost97.com
All money from 90promo was given to Santa's Helpers Charity

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I currently am a part of a ROM site within the US

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do people still download ROMs? I thought they went out of fashion around the time of the nintendo64

I know you were half serious at best but...

roms never really went out of style, but they did become a bit more popular, I believe, whenever MAME/SNES/N64/etc emulators came out for modded XBOXes a few years back.