Chinese Gaming Hardware Maker Anbernic Faces Scrutiny Over Piracy Concerns
For years, Anbernic has established itself in the market with a range of handheld Android gaming devices that prioritize retro emulation and modern game streaming features. However, a major gaming industry trade group has set its sights on Anbernic and has requested the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to add the company to the list of “notorious markets” associated with serious copyright infringement and trademark counterfeiting.
A recent request from the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), supported by key industry players such as Nintendo, Microsoft, PlayStation, Amazon, and more, alleges that Anbernic devices are often sold with removable memory cards preloaded with unauthorized copies of copyrighted video games. This practice, according to the ESA, contributes to normalizing hardware-based piracy through sophisticated consumer products.
While Anbernic may not directly include ROM-laden SD cards with their devices sold through their official channels, the inclusion on the USTR’s Notorious Markets List can have repercussions in terms of increased efforts to combat piracy and counterfeit goods. This could potentially lead to legal consequences and import regulatory restrictions for the company in the future.
It remains to be seen how this latest development will impact Anbernic’s operations and the broader issue of copyright infringement within the gaming industry.
Source: arstechnica.com
