Over time, word has reached me from various sources that there is a legal issue of some sort regarding Sonic 3. Naturally, I dont have any more solid information, since Im not involved with the issue itself, however, it should come as no surprise because there had long been rumors of legal issues regarding some of the music that have reached the public from multiple sources. More recently, Cirocco Jones mentioned in early 2012 that there was a lawsuit going on or about to go on in relation to Sonic 3, and referred an interviewer to Bobby Brooks, who responded very negatively to being asked anything at all about it. Both quotes can be found here. Some people believe that this is in conflict with more recent releases of the game and the fact that they are still available, however, the last release of Sonic 3 (& Knuckles) was for Steam in 2011, the year immediately preceding the point at which Cirocco Jones mentioned actual, in-progress legal action, and about two years before the Sonic 1 remaster was begun. Also its not unreasonable to believe that whatever is happening doesnt actually require SEGA to remove existing releases since we dont know specifically what the dispute is and what terms may be in the works