Nintendo has announced today that it has filed suit in the state of Florida against a the owner of a website known as HackYourConsole.com. The site in question sells unauthorized copies of Nintendo software and device to circumvent rights management protocols.
In addition to DS R4 game copiers (and other similar devices), HackYourConsole modifies Wii hardware for use with pirated software. The site also claims to be getting ready to sell a 3DS piracy device called a "Gateway card."
Our Take
Piracy takes revenue out of the pockets of developers and publishers. It's often difficult to pursue legal action against manufacturers and retailers of these devices, With HackYourConsole here in the United States, bringing action against the company is actually pretty simple.
I'll be watching this one closely, as it the results will establish a precedent. Those who sell modified hardware and devices expressly designed to circumvent rights management can claim that they are doing so to enable homebrew software. It will be interesting to see how the courts view this.