Nintendo supports US crackdown on piracy from China

Nintendo of America Inc. has publicly announced its support of the U.S. Trade Representative seeking formal consultations with China with regard to the country’s failure to meet World Trade Organization obligations on intellectual property protection and its enforcement in China. More than 7.7 million counterfeit video game products have been seized from over 300 Chinese factories and retailers over the past four years.

China is currently the leading production site, exporter, and consumer of counterfeit Nintendo video game products. The production sites continue to operate after products are seized using techniques such as keeping stock levels below the criminal thresholds and avoiding keeping a record of their sales records.

Nintendo has been participating in the annual Special 301 process. This event is where the U.S. Trade Representative asks for input from the industry and determines the adequacy of intellectual property laws and its enforcement in other countries. In this year’s conference, Nintendo provided evidence regarding the piracy occurring in China, Hong Kong, Brazil, Mexico, and Paraguay. An estimated US$ 762 million was lost last year due to piracy from over 100 companies who independently create, license, market, and sell Nintendo products.

Jodi Daugherty, Nintendo of America’s senior director of anti-piracy, spoke about Nintendo’s stand against piracy.

Nintendo will continue to work with the U.S. government while aggressively pursuing counterfeit Nintendo products in China. We’re pleased the U.S. government is pushing China to comply with its trade commitments in an effort to protect the lifeblood of the copyright and trademark industries.

From the looks of things, Nintendo will not stop its crusade against piracy until it has been completely stamped out.

Nintendo of America Inc. has publicly announced its support of the U.S. Trade Representative seeking formal consultations with China with regard to the country’s failure to meet World Trade Organization obligations on intellectual property protection and its enforcement in China. More than 7.7 million counterfeit video game products have been seized from over 300 Chinese factories and retailers over the past four years.

China is currently the leading production site, exporter, and consumer of counterfeit Nintendo video game products. The production sites continue to operate after products are seized using techniques such as keeping stock levels below the criminal thresholds and avoiding keeping a record of their sales records.

Nintendo has been participating in the annual Special 301 process. This event is where the U.S. Trade Representative asks for input from the industry and determines the adequacy of intellectual property laws and its enforcement in other countries. In this year’s conference, Nintendo provided evidence regarding the piracy occurring in China, Hong Kong, Brazil, Mexico, and Paraguay. An estimated US$ 762 million was lost last year due to piracy from over 100 companies who independently create, license, market, and sell Nintendo products.

Jodi Daugherty, Nintendo of America’s senior director of anti-piracy, spoke about Nintendo’s stand against piracy.

Nintendo will continue to work with the U.S. government while aggressively pursuing counterfeit Nintendo products in China. We’re pleased the U.S. government is pushing China to comply with its trade commitments in an effort to protect the lifeblood of the copyright and trademark industries.

From the looks of things, Nintendo will not stop its crusade against piracy until it has been completely stamped out.