Nintendo Lawyer Discusses Game Piracy And Emulation Lawsuit Strategy
One of the heads of Nintendo's intellectual property department gave a speech outlining what Nintendo views as illegal use of emulators.
Nintendo Lawyer Lifts the Lid on Approach to Piracy and Emulation
Nintendo is famously litigious when it comes to emulators. In March 2024, developers of Nintendo Switch emulator Yuzu were ordered to pay $2.4 million in damages after a court settlement with Nintendo.
Nintendo Lawyer Breaks Down What Makes An Emulator Illegal
One of the key uses that has set Nintendo's alarm bells ringing in the past is when an emulator bypasses a console's "technical prevention methods" like encryption, says Nishiura. If an emulator does away with specific security measures like this, it is in breach of Japan’s Unfair Competition Prevention Act and you can expect a takedown to ensue.
Nintendo Lawyer Explains Why The Company Believes Some Emulators Are Illegal
Koji Nishiura, Nintendo's patent attorney, weighs in on the legality of video game emulators.
Nintendo attorney explains why it's strengthening measures against illegal emulation
Nishiura also emphasised the use of emulators is a problem for all developers making software for Nintendo devices, which is why the company is strengthening measures against such illegal tools.
Nintendo Lawyer Spells It Out: An Emulator Can Become Illegal Depending On How It’s Used
However, when you play the same game on your own PC or phone, using an emulator that Nintendo doesn’t own, would it still be legal? The Sony v. Connectix case created a precedent that makes emulation of video game consoles is legal, including copying its copyrighted BIOS.
‘Are emulators illegal or not?’ Nintendo lawyer explains why it’s been taking them down
Nishiura added that if the emulator also disables security measures like encryption, that could also be considered illegal. He said this counts for other methods such as flash carts, citing the use of Nintendo DS flash carts (such as the R4) which bypassed security by imitating a legitimate DS game.
Nintendo: Emulators aren't always illegal, it depends on how they're used
This is why the company continues to target emulators that lead to piracy or disrupt fair play. For years, Nintendo fans have faced a hard line on emulators, but now things seem a little more complicated.
Nintendo's IP manager admits "you can't immediately claim that an emulator is illegal in itself," but "it can become illegal depending on how it's used"
"To begin with, are emulators illegal or not," Nishiura asks. "This is a point often debated. While you can't immediately claim that an emulator is illegal in itself, it can becom
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