DISCLAIMER: I am not a legal or financial expert. I am just a retro gaming enthusiast who is advocating for better laws regarding access to said games.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has recently intensified its efforts to combat video game piracy. Though they mainly went after Nintendo Switch ROM sites, this means it is possible that they will go after classic games as well in the near future, disrupting access to a treasure trove of classic video games that pose no current commercial threat. On top of this, the Senate is currently pedaling HR 791, a bill that would allow US copyright holders to block access to foreign file-sharing sites. For many gamers and retro gaming enthusiasts, these games are an important part of cultural heritage, reminiscent of childhood memories and sold-out entertainment experiences. They deserve to be accessible to the public, particularly when they are no longer available for purchase through official channels and have been rendered obsolete by newer technologies.

Video game piracy, especially regarding older games that are no longer available for purchase, serves as a critical lifeline for preserving gaming history. Many classic titles have been buried by time, neglected by companies that have moved on to newer projects. Without the availability of digital archives or legal means to purchase them, these games face extinction. When companies cease to support or sell these titles, they essentially abandon them to the digital void, leaving passionate gamers with no choice but to resort to piracy as a last resort to preserve gaming history.

Current copyright laws and actions by the government fail to consider the unique challenges faced by fans of retro games. They do not distinguish between harmful and harmless piracy, often equating eager fans preserving gaming history with criminal activities. It is crucial to devise legal avenues that allow enthusiasm for preserving old video games to thrive. This could involve collaborations with game developers to explore licensing options or creating legal digital libraries for titles that are no longer commercially viable.

Moreover, many people who pirate games or other media may not realize they are breaking the law, or don't believe they'll be caught, or simply can't find a better way to aceess them. Even if someone causes a video game company to lose money by pirating a brand new release, involvement from the FBI or law enforcement is too far, as it could unfairly ruin the life of someone who may not have thought they would get in trouble.

Companies such as Nintendo could provide adequate solutions to these problems, such as selling the ROM file directly to the consumer, but they don't. If you want to acquire old video games legally, you often have to buy Nintendo Switch Live for Nintendo games, or find them on the secondhand market, both of which are prohibitively expensive. If changing the law really isn't possible, requiring companies to provide cheap and fair solutions could also be considered.

Providing legal loopholes or adjusting existing copyright laws would ensure that the rich cultural history encapsulated in video games remains accessible to all. This movement not only supports the rights of individuals to access media they rightfully admire but also ensures that future generations can explore and enjoy the roots of modern gaming culture.

Importantly, this plea is for fair access to defunct games, not for supportive measures of any illegal large-scale commercial distribution. This petition is not asking for copyright law to be removed as a whole, but rather just to help update it and keep it more reasonable for the general public. People should not steal others' intellectual property for their own gain. However, when a game has been out for some time, it's already made most of the money it will ever make, with most copies being sold on the secondhand market. When you post an old game online, it's not stealing, it's sharing.

I propose the following solutions:

1. For all games that are at least 14 years old, or unplayable by normal means, it would be perfectly legal to share or download them for personal (non-commercial) use.

2. If that is not possible, companies should be required to provide adequate solutions, such as publishing the games to Steam to download for cheap or free, or selling the ROM file directly to you.

3. More importantly, even if someone does download something illegal, it should not be considered a criminal activity unless they actively make money off of it. Large-scale government agencies such as the FBI should stay out of it; the issue should be left to civil courts. If anyone has received such charges for these actions, they should be pardoned.

These changes would provide easier access to games, for current and future gamers, so that even as physical copies degrade and become corrupted, the games can still be enjoyed forever. 

Join us in urging policy makers, the Department of Justice, and the FBI to recognize the value of retro games as cultural artifacts deserving of preservation and accessibility. Support this petition to advocate for change and ensure that classic video games do not disappear into obscurity due to rigid and outdated copyright enforcement. Sign this petition today to protect the legacy of video gaming for future generations.