Finally!
R4 card banned in the UK
Watch out dodgy backstreet games retailers - the piracy-enabling R4 DS cartridge is now officially illegal in the UK.
A new ruling from the High Court in London has officially outlawed the importing, advertising or sale of R4 cards in the UK.
The card - which was outlawed in Japan in February - allows DS owners to transfer digital games downloaded on a PC to their console - including those pinched from Torrent and P2P sites.
The card and other similar cartridges have been blamed for a steep decline in DS software sales.
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According to industry site MCV, defendant Playables Limited argued the R4's legality on the basis that it allows homebrew applications.
However, The Court ruled that the R4 must first must circumvent Nintendo's security systems before it can work, therefore making it illegal.
"Nintendo promotes and fosters game development and creativity, and strongly supports the game developers who legitimately create new and innovative applications," a statement read. "In the UK alone, there have been over 100,000 game copying devices seized since 2009.
"Nintendo initiates these actions not only on its own behalf, but also on behalf of over 1,400 video game development companies that depend on legitimate sales of games for their survival."
Nintendo will no doubt feel the decision has come too late to bolster DS sales, however - as it prepares the launch of the wonderful 3DS in the UK.
THQ boss Ian Curran told CVG that the new device harnesses "sophisticated" technology to foil pirates.
[ Source: MCV ]
