Nintendo has told the US government all about who it feels is undermining its business by stealing. The company filed its annual report to the U.S. Trade Representative and in it we learn the following:
Piracy of Wii and DS titles increased last year. "Nintendo attributes this increase to the availability of circumvention devices, such as 'game copiers' and 'mod chips'."
It then goes on to name the countries it sees as most responsible for theft of its product. These are, in order of badness.
The People's Republic of China which, "continues to be the hub of production for counterfeit Nintendo video game products."
Republic of China: Despite the fact that "Internet piracy in Korea continues to increase, as does the availability of devices that get around product security and allow for the play of illegal Nintendo software", Nintendo is "...pleased with Korea's consistent customs seizures, and courts are now starting to hold distributors of circumvention devices, such as game copiers, accountable. The Korea-U.S. free trade agreement is important to all intellectual property rights holders."
Brazil: "Federal anti-piracy actions are not reducing piracy in Brazil, and local enforcement efforts are weak. Efforts to prosecute for piracy are virtually nonexistent." So, not good all in all.
Mexico: Again, not so good, but on the upside, "The willingness of Mexican customs and Mexican postal service workers to be trained by trademark owners was a positive sign in 2008."
Spain: At last, Europe gets a mention. "The availability of game-copying devices in Spain is alarming." We're not sure why there are more of such devices in Spain than elsewhere in the European Union. Maybe SPOnG readers can help us out.
Paraguay: Back to South America... "Corruption continues to hamper anti-piracy efforts."
So, as we stand, Europe is looking quite clean and tidy. India and Australasia don't even get a mention.
You an see the detail here.
Piracy of Wii and DS titles increased last year. "Nintendo attributes this increase to the availability of circumvention devices, such as 'game copiers' and 'mod chips'."
It then goes on to name the countries it sees as most responsible for theft of its product. These are, in order of badness.
The People's Republic of China which, "continues to be the hub of production for counterfeit Nintendo video game products."
Republic of China: Despite the fact that "Internet piracy in Korea continues to increase, as does the availability of devices that get around product security and allow for the play of illegal Nintendo software", Nintendo is "...pleased with Korea's consistent customs seizures, and courts are now starting to hold distributors of circumvention devices, such as game copiers, accountable. The Korea-U.S. free trade agreement is important to all intellectual property rights holders."
Brazil: "Federal anti-piracy actions are not reducing piracy in Brazil, and local enforcement efforts are weak. Efforts to prosecute for piracy are virtually nonexistent." So, not good all in all.
Mexico: Again, not so good, but on the upside, "The willingness of Mexican customs and Mexican postal service workers to be trained by trademark owners was a positive sign in 2008."
Spain: At last, Europe gets a mention. "The availability of game-copying devices in Spain is alarming." We're not sure why there are more of such devices in Spain than elsewhere in the European Union. Maybe SPOnG readers can help us out.
Paraguay: Back to South America... "Corruption continues to hamper anti-piracy efforts."
So, as we stand, Europe is looking quite clean and tidy. India and Australasia don't even get a mention.
You an see the detail here.
Companies:
Nintendo
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Comments
Joji 25 Feb 2009 15:35
1/4
Well, I don't know Nintendo.
A lot of piracy can be nipped in the bud, if Wii was region free (like you claimed it was going to be) and allowed dvd playback ( a shocking bit of cock blocking by them, and how long has dvd be out for now?). As for the Freeloader turn around (once worked with their blessing and understanding, that some of us desire import games, but now doesn't or keep being blocked via updates) enough said.
Bad Nintendo decisions create a lot of problems for them, when customers disagree and desire something more. Keep short changing and disrespecting your customers and such piracy will continue.
I hope Nintendo will one day see the error of their ways, but while the clock is ticking, I only have more time for those developers who meet gamers half way.
A lot of piracy can be nipped in the bud, if Wii was region free (like you claimed it was going to be) and allowed dvd playback ( a shocking bit of cock blocking by them, and how long has dvd be out for now?). As for the Freeloader turn around (once worked with their blessing and understanding, that some of us desire import games, but now doesn't or keep being blocked via updates) enough said.
Bad Nintendo decisions create a lot of problems for them, when customers disagree and desire something more. Keep short changing and disrespecting your customers and such piracy will continue.
I hope Nintendo will one day see the error of their ways, but while the clock is ticking, I only have more time for those developers who meet gamers half way.
bertybassett 25 Feb 2009 16:31
2/4
Well stuff the mod chips, we can now softmod the wii.
Long live wanankoko
Long live wanankoko
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OptimusP 26 Feb 2009 12:28
3/4
Joji wrote:
Well, I don't know Nintendo.
A lot of piracy can be nipped in the bud, if Wii was region free (like you claimed it was going to be) and allowed dvd playback ( a shocking bit of cock blocking by them, and how long has dvd be out for now?). As for the Freeloader turn around (once worked with their blessing and understanding, that some of us desire import games, but now doesn't or keep being blocked via updates) enough said.
Bad Nintendo decisions create a lot of problems for them, when customers disagree and desire something more. Keep short changing and disrespecting your customers and such piracy will continue.
I hope Nintendo will one day see the error of their ways, but while the clock is ticking, I only have more time for those developers who meet gamers half way.
A lot of piracy can be nipped in the bud, if Wii was region free (like you claimed it was going to be) and allowed dvd playback ( a shocking bit of cock blocking by them, and how long has dvd be out for now?). As for the Freeloader turn around (once worked with their blessing and understanding, that some of us desire import games, but now doesn't or keep being blocked via updates) enough said.
Bad Nintendo decisions create a lot of problems for them, when customers disagree and desire something more. Keep short changing and disrespecting your customers and such piracy will continue.
I hope Nintendo will one day see the error of their ways, but while the clock is ticking, I only have more time for those developers who meet gamers half way.
The region free thing is good, piracy can be pushed back trough higher accesibility (aka something launching everywhere in the world at somewhat the same time). But the DVD-playback thing is incredible trivial, everyone in their households has 2-3 things that can play DVD's anyway, why another one?
Also, define "their customers" and the people who commit piracy...is it really 100% overlap? If it isn't, you're reasoning is flawed.
Chepo 27 Feb 2009 00:14
4/4
I am from Mexico, and yes indeed piracy it's very common but also heavily punished even with incarceration.
But I have to establish my opinion and how i see things inside just to let you know guys that the actual economy situation around the globe is very critic. And mostly thirld world country such mine, cant afford buying games at retail price of $60.oo us dlls.that aint gonna happen. An average worker gets paid around $50 to $70 dollars per 48 hours worked (One full week salary).
Thats why piracy is very high you get an xbox 360 or wii game for about $3 or $5 dollars each. you do the math.
I am not by any reason promoting piracy or theft just plain and simple facts.
But I have to establish my opinion and how i see things inside just to let you know guys that the actual economy situation around the globe is very critic. And mostly thirld world country such mine, cant afford buying games at retail price of $60.oo us dlls.that aint gonna happen. An average worker gets paid around $50 to $70 dollars per 48 hours worked (One full week salary).
Thats why piracy is very high you get an xbox 360 or wii game for about $3 or $5 dollars each. you do the math.
I am not by any reason promoting piracy or theft just plain and simple facts.