Nintendo moves against bootleg TV gaming
Not cross-dressers with a foot fetish either
Even pictures of them look shady and, um, low quality
Nintendo America has moved against the burgeoning bootleg TV games market in the US, with a restraining order in Washington being enforced against various retail outlets.
And not before time many would argue. Specifically Nintendo is targeting the NES emulators that come packaged within joypads akin to those used for the N64 which have been flooding out of China for the past five years or so. Most contain a wide range of NES games: both third and first-party.
“This action is one of many steps Nintendo is taking to protect its creative rights and to combat the growing international problem of product piracy," explains Jodi Daugherty, Nintendo of America's director of anti-piracy. "Nintendo won't tolerate these illegal products, and is grateful to its devoted customers. We'll aggressively protect the quality and integrity of the video game products our fans are so loyal to. We're confident that mall management companies around the nation will provide their complete cooperation upon being informed of the court's decision.”
Indeed, it does seem strange that Nintendo has taken this long to address such a critical issue, especially with its second phase of NES Classics about to ship to retail. One might argue, though of course not SPOnG, that perhaps Nintendo should have spent time stopping the sale of these devices some years ago, rather than using it’s IP-protecting legal resources closing down ten year-old boys’ Pokemon fansites.
And not before time many would argue. Specifically Nintendo is targeting the NES emulators that come packaged within joypads akin to those used for the N64 which have been flooding out of China for the past five years or so. Most contain a wide range of NES games: both third and first-party.
“This action is one of many steps Nintendo is taking to protect its creative rights and to combat the growing international problem of product piracy," explains Jodi Daugherty, Nintendo of America's director of anti-piracy. "Nintendo won't tolerate these illegal products, and is grateful to its devoted customers. We'll aggressively protect the quality and integrity of the video game products our fans are so loyal to. We're confident that mall management companies around the nation will provide their complete cooperation upon being informed of the court's decision.”
Indeed, it does seem strange that Nintendo has taken this long to address such a critical issue, especially with its second phase of NES Classics about to ship to retail. One might argue, though of course not SPOnG, that perhaps Nintendo should have spent time stopping the sale of these devices some years ago, rather than using it’s IP-protecting legal resources closing down ten year-old boys’ Pokemon fansites.
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Comments
Joji 1 Nov 2004 17:40
1/2
I'm also quite amazed they to so long to take action. These cheesy products in N64 sheeps clothing have been around for ages. We've seen them gracing market stalls up and down the country, and all of us are familiar with the N64 pad, a pad which Nintendo designed so it would be unique in use and immitations could be spotted easily.
Fairplay to Nintendo for standing up about the pad rip off systems. As for the NES game roms included on the I'd say that was inevitble. Nintendo of all people have refused us and still refuse us an iTunes like pay for a game rom service. (yes you are guilty too,,Sega though not as much as Nintendo) Nintendo still want to sell us GBA Super Mario Bros for 15 quid. I'm sorry Nintendo, though the NES Classics range is encouraged, we aren't stupid and we know that GB/NES/SNES roms are tiny in size and that a few can be fitted one GBA cart. Don't try to con us.
If you want us to buy these old classic games give us a fair deal. Sega and Namco have done arcade collection 4-in-1 carts for GBA but where is Nintendo's version? This is why people download roms, because we know we are being fleeced, and our cries for a cheap download rom legal service go ignored.
How is it that a game like PS2 DMC you can now buy brand new for 10 pounds, but a game much older like SMB is costing 15 pounds? I'd much rather pay a pound or two to download SMB legally minus the bull and packaging. What's more insulting is the amount of the classics range games, that would fit on a standard 1GB DS media card, rather than a GBA cart.
You were warned about this kind of thing before. At least Sega meets it's customers half way by setting up a download service in japan. This is a start and very good steps that Nintendo must learn from. Failure to do so just distances you from your customers, and also causes crap like this dodgy product to flood the market, while making the wrong people money.
Sorry Nintendo, can't defend you this time, this problem needs sorting out. You claim to be listening to us more, not on this subject though. Protect your IP and chase the true pirates making money off you, but give us a better deal (only time I've seen this is the Game and Watch GBA/GBC games).
I won't be buying any of the GBA classics range til they're going for a fiver. Possibly a day I may never see, I bet.
Fairplay to Nintendo for standing up about the pad rip off systems. As for the NES game roms included on the I'd say that was inevitble. Nintendo of all people have refused us and still refuse us an iTunes like pay for a game rom service. (yes you are guilty too,,Sega though not as much as Nintendo) Nintendo still want to sell us GBA Super Mario Bros for 15 quid. I'm sorry Nintendo, though the NES Classics range is encouraged, we aren't stupid and we know that GB/NES/SNES roms are tiny in size and that a few can be fitted one GBA cart. Don't try to con us.
If you want us to buy these old classic games give us a fair deal. Sega and Namco have done arcade collection 4-in-1 carts for GBA but where is Nintendo's version? This is why people download roms, because we know we are being fleeced, and our cries for a cheap download rom legal service go ignored.
How is it that a game like PS2 DMC you can now buy brand new for 10 pounds, but a game much older like SMB is costing 15 pounds? I'd much rather pay a pound or two to download SMB legally minus the bull and packaging. What's more insulting is the amount of the classics range games, that would fit on a standard 1GB DS media card, rather than a GBA cart.
You were warned about this kind of thing before. At least Sega meets it's customers half way by setting up a download service in japan. This is a start and very good steps that Nintendo must learn from. Failure to do so just distances you from your customers, and also causes crap like this dodgy product to flood the market, while making the wrong people money.
Sorry Nintendo, can't defend you this time, this problem needs sorting out. You claim to be listening to us more, not on this subject though. Protect your IP and chase the true pirates making money off you, but give us a better deal (only time I've seen this is the Game and Watch GBA/GBC games).
I won't be buying any of the GBA classics range til they're going for a fiver. Possibly a day I may never see, I bet.
Kaxxx 2 Nov 2004 12:35
2/2
I never bother with any of these classics. For youre money you can buy and NES and a crock load of games for less than the price of one of these classics titles alone.
Seems Nintendo are only making a move now that they want to suck the life out of the same market.
Seems Nintendo are only making a move now that they want to suck the life out of the same market.