As we reported earlier this week, Nintendo has been dragged over the coals by the European Fair Trade Commission, for its practice of preventing parallel trading between member states.
The case dates back to the Pokemon boom in 1998, the most profitable period in Nintendo’s history. With Game Boy Color sales outstripping all other machines, Pokemon was a constant at the top of the charts. It was at this point that Nintendo aggressively prevented distributors from shipping hardware and software across borders, thus keeping prices artificially high in some countries.
Amazingly, the EFTC has fined Nintendo 168 million Euros, around £94 million. In a statement released to press yesterday, Nintendo said that it accepted and supported the decision, though expressed surprise at the size of the fine handed out.
Nintendo Europe also stated that it has plans in place to appeal against the fine, widely seen as disproportionately high throughout the games industry.
The case dates back to the Pokemon boom in 1998, the most profitable period in Nintendo’s history. With Game Boy Color sales outstripping all other machines, Pokemon was a constant at the top of the charts. It was at this point that Nintendo aggressively prevented distributors from shipping hardware and software across borders, thus keeping prices artificially high in some countries.
Amazingly, the EFTC has fined Nintendo 168 million Euros, around £94 million. In a statement released to press yesterday, Nintendo said that it accepted and supported the decision, though expressed surprise at the size of the fine handed out.
Nintendo Europe also stated that it has plans in place to appeal against the fine, widely seen as disproportionately high throughout the games industry.
Companies:
Nintendo
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