Is it legal to sell

[AustinQPT]

Is it legal to create a website selling portable n64 systems? I would love to make this a summer job but need clarification on this. Also where would I go to buy lcd screens? Thanks!

-Austin

[kinjjibo]

Of course it's legal. If it wasn't, eBay wouldn't be legal than.

[AustinQPT]

Of course it's legal. If it wasn't, eBay wouldn't be legal than.

Ok, because I never saw them being sold on ebay and I know for a fact that newer modified systems cannot be sold on ebay should your modification have compromised the warranty.

Again I am not sure about the specifics but I really would like to avoid a lawsuit.

[kinjjibo]

Many people sell them in eBay that didn't do it for a commission or advertise it on here or Modretro, etc for sale.

[AustinQPT]

So you are saying it is legal so long as it is nonprofit?

[limpport]

No, it is legal no matter what. What kinjjibo is saying is some modders get paid ahead of time to make a portable for someone. The ones that are sold on eBay were not paid for ahead of time, and the money to make it came from the makers own pocket.

[vskid]

The modded consoles ebay doesn't like are the ones that have been modded to play pirated games.
In the simplest of terms, portables are just systems and screens that have been taken apart and put in the same case. If that is illegal, you should probably find another place to live.

[Tchay]

Slightly related: It is technically illegal to sell a portable gaming system that runs off of internal memory (hard drive, rom cartridge, etc). For example, Knight Raizers portable would technically be illegal to sell since it runs off of a hard drive to play PS2 games. Is this correct?

Also, this could be problematic for WiiP intended to be sold.

[bassmasta]

Slightly related: It is technically illegal to sell a portable gaming system that runs off of internal memory (hard drive, rom cartridge, etc). For example, Knight Raizers portable would technically be illegal to sell since it runs off of a hard drive to play PS2 games. Is this correct?

Also, this could be problematic for WiiP intended to be sold.

Think of it this way: Emulators are not illegal, but ROMS (usually) are.
So no, I don't think it's illegal, unless he broke some agreement/contract/terms on the software that says he must use it a certain way.
The hardware is yours, but usually the software is not.

Edit: I feel like this doesn't really make sense. Do you think it does?

[Tchay]

Slightly related: It is technically illegal to sell a portable gaming system that runs off of internal memory (hard drive, rom cartridge, etc). For example, Knight Raizers portable would technically be illegal to sell since it runs off of a hard drive to play PS2 games. Is this correct?

Also, this could be problematic for WiiP intended to be sold.

Think of it this way: Emulators are not illegal, but ROMS (usually) are.
So no, I don't think it's illegal, unless he broke some agreement/contract/terms on the software that says he must use it a certain way.
The hardware is yours, but usually the software is not.

Edit: I feel like this doesn't really make sense. Do you think it does?

According to Nintendo, any emulation of older consoles is illegal as they still have copyright over all of their games (for like 20 more years I believe). And the portables Im talking about cannot play games without roms or backups being downloaded to the memory. But Im still not totally sure about the legality....

[bassmasta]

According to Nintendo, any emulation of older consoles is illegal as they still have copyright over all of their games (for like 20 more years I believe). And the portables Im talking about cannot play games without roms or backups being downloaded to the memory. But Im still not totally sure about the legality....

Like I said; "Emulators are not illegal, but ROMS (usually) are."
The software used to emulate a system, like VirtualBoy, etc. are legal.
The ROMS are illegal, although I'm not sure if that argument retains if you backup your own ROMs. BUT you cannot break copyright protection to back up your games.
However, the Knight Raizer is (probably) legal, because it has a legal use: Homebrew.
The only reason it wouldn't be is because he broke something in the license agreement. Software is licensed to you; its not yours to freely modify.

[Tchay]

let me reiterate, knight raizers ps2 has no disc drive. therefore the only way to play games is via backups. whether sony is cool with backups i dont kno.

now, nintendo on the other hand, is not cool with backups even if u own a copy of the game. i read that right off of their website.

ill just look this up on sonys site myself to see if they have the same policy

[snowpenguin]

Sony and nintendo don't make the laws.

His ps2p would only be illegal to sell if it was loaded with games.

If you think it's illegal to sell it if it works off internal memory at all, then every modern gaming console is illegal.

[bassmasta]

@Tchay

However, the Knight Raizer is (probably) legal, because it has a legal use: Homebrew.

@snowpenguin
It can be illegal if it breaks any EULA's etc.

[kinjjibo]

What everyone is saying is, yes, you can sell n64 portables.