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In that case, the MAME team simply haven't updated the FAQs completely yet. I'd like to know exactly what URL you saw that info at so that I can raise it with the guy in charge of our documentation.
Sure. For http://mamedev.org/legal.html:
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Q. Can I use a PC running MAME to replace a real arcade PCB?
A. In order to do this you would have to use a copy of the original ROMs, which would require obtaining permission from the original manufacturer. Once you had permission from them, if it was used for non-commercial purposes, then you would not technically be violating the MAME license. However we still do not explicitly give permission to use MAME in this way because of the possibility of the game being sold sometime later, which would constitute commercial use of MAME. If you sell your game later you must sell it without MAME included.
And for http://wiki.mamedev.org/index.php/FAQ:ROMs:
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Isn't copying ROMs a legal gray area?
No, it's not. You are not permitted to make copies of software without the copyright owner's permission. This is a black & white issue.
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If I buy a cabinet with legitimate ROMs, can I set it up in a public place to make money?
Absolutely not. Not only is it against the MAME license to use MAME for commercial purposes, but ROMs are typically only licensed for personal, non-commercial purposes.
I hope that's helpful.
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None of us are attorneys, none of us have even the remotest capability of giving you legal advice. We're all programmers and geeks, not attorneys, so we are in no way able to give you legal advice. We can advise you as to our current understanding of how and why the MAME license is the way it is, but that's really all we can do.
Understood, and I appreciate that you take the time to try to answer these questions anyway. =)
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Then go talk to an attorney. Your questions are way more centered around how you can somehow use MAME to turn a profit in whatever way that you'd prefer not to detail (which throws up red flags), so please go and detail those ways to an attorney who can advise you in the best course of action, because we sure can't.
Well, red flags are not what I intended. Detail time it is then.
Basically I was trying to find out if I could put one custom system together using a Raspberry Pi/PC, a CRT TV, and a few PCBs (kind of like this Instructable, but with a coin acceptor) as a summer project to make a few bucks while I'm at school, without dealing with boatloads of legal red tape and breaking a bajillion copyright laws.
Given that you advised an attorney (which isn't feasible for me since I'm not trying to make that kind of a profit), I will either get the manufacturers' permission and proceed (not likely that they'll respond/agree, though) or just forget about it.
Regardless, I thank you for your time and prompt reply.
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