Atari declares war on home-brew

[slinks]

A few weeks ago, Atari had a managerial shake-up and appointed a load of new executives to the company. And the companies next large action out of the gates?

http://www.geek.com/articles/games/atari-is-demanding-domain-names-from-its-own-fan-sites-20110824/

http://www.8bitrocket.com/2011/08/23/atari-pulls-out-the-lawyers-and-threatens-to-sue-hobbyists/

That's right, slap takedown notices on a couple of homebrew sites and demand the domain names.

One of the sites, Atari2600.org was an invaluable resourse for people wanting to play around with this old hardware (A few of my friends still have one knocking about, so I've been able to have myself a little play )

Anyone here code anything for the atari, or know what's going on with its demoscene atm?

[padman]

Lol, oh my. What a bunch of fuckwits. But hey, maybe they need that domain name for a 2k11 version of the Atari 2600.  What a clever move that would be! Just like the C64/PC bastard nobody needs...

[ferris]

Well this is fun. I'd like to see where this goes

[combatking0]

So, instead of innovation, it looks like the current Atari leaders want to re-release their old games. That's fine. But alienating many of the people who would be interested in such a compilation?

Not a good move.

I saw a website once where somebody chopped up an old 2600 and (with the parts from a hand-held TV) built a hand-held gaming system out of it. Is that illegal too now?

[Shockwave]

I don't know what legal right Atari have over these domain names.

If I'd owned Atari2600.org I would have said "give me some money or fuck off".

[hellfire]

I'm wondering if Infogrames (who bought the name "Atari" in the late 90s) even has any claims for the vcs 2600...

[Dr_D]

Man, this is just sad. They should be elated that people are still messing around with that old system!

[Hotshot]

If I'd owned Atari2600.org I would have said "give me some money or fuck off".

I agree and fuck em!   

[Rbz]

Next target: Atari cracktro remakes!

(Run Padman, run)

[padman]

Oh well, I ain't afraid of no suit-wearing butt-holes. Bring 'em on!

(Btw, great choice of music mate! haha)

[Shockwave]

@RBZ That was random and cool!

[combatking0]

The only problem with having a domain name which someone wants you to hand over, and then asking for money for it, is that the prosecuting party can claim that you're a "cyber squatter".

Although, it is perfectly reasonable to ask for the price of the domain name without being labelled as a squatter.

One such case was Mike Rowe, who a while back, registered the domain name "mikerowesoft.com". Bill gates wasn't happy.

[Dr_D]

lol... very clever. 

[slinks]

Lol, oh my. What a bunch of fuckwits. But hey, maybe they need that domain name for a 2k11 version of the Atari 2600.  What a clever move that would be! Just like the C64/PC bastard nobody needs...

I don't care how overpriced and unnecessary it is, if I had $600, I'd be first in line [/shame]

[Moroboshisan]

maybe they're plannin to release something like DTV-something or resembling a cheap handheld console like this: http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-lobg-71-8y-49-en-84-j-70-3532.html

[padman]

Such a thing already exists.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari_Flashback

[combatking0]

This fan project still has a certain appeal:

http://benheck.com/original-atari-2600-vcsp

[Pixel_Outlaw]

This is nothing new considering how bad Atari was to begin with.
Their biggest thing has always been secrecy. In the early days of Atari they refused to give the designers and programmer credits for their work.

[Pot Noodle]

I bet Atari are thinking of bringing out a disc player and calling it a laser disc! 

[Shockwave]

This fan project still has a certain appeal:

http://benheck.com/original-atari-2600-vcsp

That site is a really interesting read   Thanks for posting it CK.