MBBSEmu is an open-source effort to develop a quality runtime environment that is compatible with Galacticomm's The Major BBS and Worldgroup applications.

No. MBBSEmu consists only of clean-room engineered MIT License and MIT License compatible source code written in C#.

Yes. MBBSEmu is fully legal.

Developers have not looked at The Major BBS, Worldgroup, or Btrieve source code (as it is not public). They have used the public documentation of Galacticomm, Microsoft, Actian/Pervasive/Novell, and Intel. They have also made many tests and test applications to understand how The MajorBBS & Worldgroup works. In fact, MBBSEmu does the same things that The MajorBBS/Worldgroup does but it does it differently as we don't have the same source code and it is all programmed by different developers. All code in MBBSEmu is released under the MIT License.

A Copyright violation for software would be copying source code for the purpose of recreating a given work. Emulators do not violate Copyright as long as their source code hasn't been copied from the original software or distribute unauthorized copies of a given original software.

For prior cases related to the legality of Emulators in relation to Copyright law, please see:

• Sega v. Accolade
• Sony Computer Entertainment Inc v. Connectix Corporation
• Sony Computer Entertainment America v. Bleem
• Apple Inc. v. Corellium, LLC
• Google LLC v. Oracle America, Inc.

When it comes to reverse engineering for the purpose of creating an emulator, particularly for old DOS-based software over 30 years old, the legality can be quite nuanced and is heavily dependent on the jurisdiction and specific circumstances. Emulators, which allow one system to mimic or replicate the functions of another system, often require a deep understanding of the original software, which is typically obtained through reverse engineering.

In many countries, including the United States, reverse engineering for the purpose of achieving interoperability (which is a key aspect of creating an emulator) is often considered legal, falling under fair use or specific exceptions in copyright law. This legal stance aims to balance the interests of copyright holders with the advancement of technology and innovation. However, the legality is not absolute and can be complicated by factors such as the specific terms of the end-user license agreement (EULA) of the original software, and whether the software is still under copyright protection. Given that copyright terms can extend well beyond 30 years, it's possible that even older software could still be protected. As such, it’s critical for anyone considering reverse engineering for emulation purposes to consult legal expertise in their respective jurisdiction and to closely examine the copyright status and EULA terms of the software in question.

The EFF has a great guide and FAQ in relation to Reverse Engineering: Coders’ Rights Project Reverse Engineering FAQ

Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and regulations regarding reverse engineering and emulator development can vary significantly by jurisdiction and are subject to change. For specific legal advice or up-to-date information tailored to your situation, please consult with a qualified legal expert.