Can I make a remake of a past game without asking permission from its owner?

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I want to remake an old classic emulator based game for windows 8 platform. It was launched in 1997-05-01 by Hudson Soft, UK for neo-geo platform. (Old Arcade games)

Think of

Fatal Fury 3: Road to the Final Victory

Cyber-Lip

Aero Fighters

Blazing Star

King of the Fighters '99

etc...

I want to know will it be copyright infrigment if i remake that or is that ok?

What are the pros and cons of doing this?

P.S ( I love this game and i know most of the people still do and i will use my own code and graphics for remaking)

Update:

Thanks Britt...

I contacted Konami Corporation Who own Hudson Soft now and asked them about it.

I contacted konami and sent them this:

Hi,

My name is Ramis and I am a computer science student. I loved the game “Neo Bomber Man”.

Link: http://bomberman.wikia.com/wiki/Neo_Bomb...

produced by your(now) child company

Hudson Soft , SNK in 1997-05-01.

I want to remake this game and publish it on Windows 8 platform. Do you allow me to do that?

Note: If you are not the right person whom I should mail this, please reply with the email on which I should contact.

Thank you!

Regards,

Ramis.

I know near to nothing about technical writing btw :P

I wonder what they will reply

Answer 1

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RAMIS,

There are International Laws that protect intellectual

property. Here in the States, it's USAC TITLE 17, 501, et seq.

HUDSON SOFT, INC. is a Japanese firm, founded May 18,

1973, in Sapporo , HOKKAIDO, Japan.

Be very cautious. The Japanese are VERY litigious.

They are very protective of products of hard work.

Now, you can take a chance, but I would not !!

It's just way, way easier. to call your local Public Library, and perhaps get that info.

IF they don;t have it, call the NEW YORK PUBLIC

LIBRARY.

Having said that, you might approach them about

ideas for improving their product. That might put

you in some serious money.

Britt

Answer 2

It's only a copyright infringement if you use their copyrighted software, images or sounds. The idea, function, concept or process of the game are not protected by copyright. 17 USC § 102(b), in the USA.

Answer 3

Contact them and ask. Sounds like copyright infringement without their consent.

Answer 4

No.

Contact the copyright holder and ask for permission, for which you may have to pay. Get it in writing.