ScummVM no longer allowed to accept PayPal donations

[ThumbBot]

ScummVM, The much-loved program which allows people to run classic PC adventure games on modern systems, has been informed by PayPal that it may no longer use their service to accept donations. PayPal claims that ScummVM violates their Acceptable Usage Policy, as it allows games to be played on systems for which they were not originally sold.





ScummVM's have of course appealed, presumably pointing out that the program mainly allows games to be played on the system they were developed for, but no longer work on, possibly also noting that ScummVM is officially endorsed by some of the companies involved in creating the aforementioned games.

Amongst the supporters of ScummVM are Revolution Software, who provided the ScummVM team with the source code for their classic adventure game Beneath a Steel Sky, and allow them to distribute the game for free on their website. PayPal responded to their appeal thusly:

Although you make valid points throughout the email, the fact remains that you have developed a game modulator that allows games produced and developed by multiple companies to be played on their non-designated hardware platforms.

This act in itself violates the PayPal AUP and we request that you remove PayPal from http://www.scummvm.org/.

The ScummVM team urge users to express their disappointment by sending PayPal an email (aup@paypal.com). In the meantime, they are currently seeking an alternative way to accept donations! For further information, or if you have a suggestion, visit the ScummVM website.

Posted by Rusalka Clarke

[JBRAA]

http://www.paypalsucks.com

http://www.paypalsucks.org

[elmuerte]

That'll teach them to give me the opertunity to play the games that I bought where I want when I want (although it's not very easy to play on a small phone screen).

[SpiderMonkey]

So they are victims of corporate ass-covering? I don't really see this situation changing, whatever the outcry, unless the games' publishers/rights holders were to get involved.

That said, it's a little strange that the two abandonware sites in my bookmarks both have PayPal donation links. I'd have thought actually distributing copyrighted materials would fall victim to their scythe first.

[Wrestlevania]

SpiderMonkey:

I'd have thought actually distributing copyrighted materials would fall victim to their scythe first.

ScummVM is a victim of the press; both the PSP and DS versions in particular have been bandied around for months on end now.

Corporations are fat, lazy and stupid, and are often only provoked into "protective" action because of the media.