Oh its a quagmire oif dirt this issue.. but it does make good forum chat!!
Now then..... USA copyright was only granted IF applied for pre 1985. In other words, unless WMS actually applied for copyright on a machines artwork prior to 1985 it does NOT exist... now this raises the question... did WMS apply for copyright? Im afraid you will never get the true answer to this... but what we can assume is that the market was hot with competition... each company pushing money into R & D for the new technologies and innovations - now do you reckon they really cared too much about copyright? My thoughts are that it was the last on the list and if the funds were running short its never even thought of.
For instance.... SINGLE player GTB games are considered the best - why??
Because the money went into the game play and features rather than the EXTRA relays and score reels etc - in other words - all were done to a budget.. WMS wouldnt be any different..
Also to add... Just cos you purchase WMS/BALLY rights does not grant you the right to actually produce anything! A licence holder HAS to apply to say WMS to produce a 24/1200 coil for instance.. if they want to produce a 22/1200 then permission HAS to be granted once again for this specific item.
In order to successfully sue anyone for a breach of copyright, then you have to also prove loss of earnings... if you dont produce it - how can you prove loss of earnings??
And if you dont have permission to say make cabinet stencils
..... then you can hardly sue someone for making them can you as you cant produce them either ( even if you already do)
Only person that can stop you/ grant you permission/ sue you is WMS/BALLY themnselves..
Tread carefully my friends... Oh and hello Wayne
