Dormant Hack - best way to proceed?

[shri]

I'm pretty keen on figuring out how to get an old hack (3.5) upgraded to 3.8.x and maintained. I have contacted the original author and have not had a response.

Any ideas on what would be the best way to proceed and ensure that no copyrights are violated and no toes are stepped on? The author has turned emails off and has not responded to a PM about doing this as a paid project.

The hack in question is the multiple forums single user db hack ( https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=118473 ).

What is the best way to proceed? Happy to take it over, pay someone to upgrade and maintain it and release it back to the community as I believe that this is essential functionality for those who wish to run networks of forums.

I rarely post here... so apologies if this is in the wrong forum or inappropriately worded. Feel free to delete if this is not per rules.