🚨ESA Asks USTR to Label Anbernic as Piracy Enabler
ESA targets Anbernic for ROM-laden devices
TL;DR
The ESA has requested the USTR to add Anbernic to its Notorious Markets list for selling handheld gaming devices preloaded with unauthorized game copies. This move highlights the breakdown of a long-standing fiction around emulator distribution.
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has asked the USTR to list Anbernic as a notorious market for piracy, citing the company's sale of handheld gaming devices preloaded with unauthorized game copies. This move targets a long-standing issue where ROMs are distributed through polished consumer products, making piracy more accessible. The ESA's action could lead to increased scrutiny and potential legal consequences for Anbernic, despite the company not directly selling ROMs. The USTR's list encourages authorities to combat piracy more aggressively, potentially impacting Anbernic's business model and future sales.
Key Points
ESA submitted the request to the USTR last week, targeting Anbernic's devices preloaded with unauthorized game copies.
Anbernic devices often come with SD cards containing hundreds or thousands of ROMs, making piracy more accessible.
Being listed as a notorious market could lead to a Section 301 investigation, potentially resulting in legal consequences or import restrictions.
The ESA argues that these ROM-laden devices help normalize hardware-based piracy, despite Anbernic not directly selling ROMs.
Major online retailers have ignored blatant copyright infringement on their platforms, prompting the ESA to take action against Anbernic.
Why It Matters
If you're an online retailer selling Anbernic devices, you might face increased scrutiny and potential legal consequences. The ESA's action highlights the need for stricter enforcement of copyright laws in the gaming industry, impacting both hardware manufacturers and e-commerce platforms.
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