Are old J2ME .jar and .jad binary files permitted in a GitHub repository?

[thedoctor2001]

🏷️ Discussion Type

Question

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Hi everyone,

I would like to create a repository to preserve old J2ME games. However, I am not sure whether Github will allow that, so I post here to make sure that I will follow the Github guidelines.

Thank you.

[kartik99917]

Yes, GitHub generally allows you to store .jar and .jad files in a repository, provided you have the legal right to distribute them and they don't violate GitHub's Terms of Service.

A few things to keep in mind:

• If the J2ME games are your own work or are released under a license that permits redistribution, you can include the .jar and .jad files in your repository.
• If the games are copyrighted commercial titles, uploading the binaries without permission could infringe copyright and may result in a DMCA takedown.
• If your goal is preservation, it's a good idea to include a README.md explaining the origin of the files, their license or copyright status, and the purpose of the repository.
• If the binary files are large, consider using Git LFS, although most J2ME applications are small enough that standard Git storage is sufficient.

So the key question isn't whether GitHub permits .jar or .jad files themselves—it does—but whether you have permission to distribute the specific files you're uploading.

Hope this was helpful, thank you!!

[lgustavopuga]

Yes, absolutely! Technically, GitHub allows hosting .jar and .jad files. However, there are two critical aspects to consider for a preservation project:

• Copyright & Licensing: If these are commercial, proprietary J2ME games, hosting them without permission violates copyright laws. If a copyright holder files a DMCA takedown, GitHub will remove the files. It is safest to host open-source games or those with explicit distribution permissions.
• File Size Limits: GitHub has a 100 MB limit per file (warning at 50 MB). While J2ME games are tiny and won't hit this limit individually, keep it in mind if you compile large zip archives. For heavy binary storage, use Git LFS (Large File Storage).

Pro Tip: For old commercial "abandonware," the Internet Archive is usually a safer hosting option for the binaries. You can then use your GitHub repository to document the project, share metadata, and link to the downloads there!