Andre Yoskowitz
29 Jul 2010 12:05
A High Court in the UK has ruled this week that R4 carts, used by Nintendo DS owners to run homebrew and pirated games, is illegal.
The Court called the carts "game copiers" and ruled they are illegal to import, sell or even advertise in the UK.
Two defendants, Playables Limited and Wai Dat Chan were arguing that the carts simply allowed owners to run homebrew and playback movies and music.
The Justice did not agree: "The mere fact that the device can be used for a non-infringing purpose is not a defence."
Nintendo was happy with the decision: We are "pleased that the court was not persuaded by the defendant's arguments, claiming that game copiers are lawful, as they allow for the play of 'homebrew' applications. The court affirmed that game copiers first circumvent Nintendo's security systems before any non-infringing application can be played on Nintendo's handheld products."
The ruling follows a recent similar decision by a judge in the Netherlands.