The files have been explained as essentially being the press releases of the warez scene.[9] They are commonly associated with warez groups who include them to declare credit of said release.[10] NFO files were ubiquitous, and sometimes required, during the era of the BBS. The file was a stamp of authenticity, explicitly explaining what group released the software and described what modifications (or cracks) were applied if any.[11] Once a software was "packaged" with an NFO and then released, it was then officially owned by that group and no other group could ethically re-release that particular package. A typical warez NFO file was elaborate and highly decorated, and usually included a large ASCII art logo along with software release and extended warez group information.