Most seasoned computer gamers will likely grin ear to ear when asked to recall their most memorable moments in PC gaming history, be it taking over the world in Civilization, going back in time in Day of the Tentacle, or rescuing the princess in Prince of Persia. But you can't find these "classic" computer games from the late '80s and early '90s, on store shelves--not even in those value-priced compilation packages.

You won't find this classic in stores.

So, are you out of luck if you want to take Ultima IV for another spin? And how exactly do you plan on loading Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards from that floppy disk you snagged at a garage sale? Even though they were "abandoned" by their respective publishers years ago, thousands of computer games from yesteryear are still alive today--in cyberspace and for free.

If you know where to look, that is.

Welcome to the controversial topic known as "abandonware." Coined roughly five years ago, the term simply refers to computer software--like an operating system, application, or game--that is no longer marketed, distributed, or supported by the company that published it. Abandonware advocates argue that once the software has been discontinued and cannot be easily purchased through retail channels or online stores, it should become public domain.

Therefore, these so-called software saviors (as they'd like to be considered) take it upon themselves to use the Internet as an effective distribution medium to share these older programs, be it via Web sites, newsgroups, FTP servers, or peer-to-peer file-swapping programs. The abandonware providers claim that companies are not losing any revenue since the software is no longer accessible, so it should be freely distributed for those who want to enjoy it. Some believe software must also be at least five years old to become truly "abandoned," though not all share this common addendum to the definition.

Good luck finding this one, too.

But legally, the act of sharing abandonware is no different from piracy or "warez"--that is, the unauthorized duplication and distribution of computer software. Those opposed to abandonware claim that people who provide or distribute these old programs are incorrect in the assumption that the software becomes "freeware" over time--or if a company stops supporting it. Copyrights are not considered abandoned even if they are no longer enforced, so the software does not enter the public domain just because they are no longer commercially exploited or widely available.

This exclusive GameSpot feature discusses this growing trend of seeking out abandoned games, who's providing the games and why, what developers and publishers think about abandonware distribution, and what's being done to curb it.

So what do the experts say?

 

Next: Jupiter Media Metrix and the IDSA discuss abandonware »