R4 Cards Now Illegal in UK

July 28, 2010

R4 cards, which allow Nintendo DS owners to run their own code, homebrew applications and, in some cases, illegal copies of games, have been outlawed in the UK.

MCVUK carries word that a London High Court issued the ruling in a case against Playables Limited, decreeing that the R4 cards are now illegal to import, advertise or sell. Defendant Wai Dat Chan had attempted to argue that the cards should be legal since they allow users to run homebrew applications, but the court ruled that “the R4 must first must circumvent Nintendo’s security systems before it can work, therefore making it illegal.”

Nintendo, which apparently was the plaintiff in the case, issued a statement saying “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 has been actively pursuing distributors, resellers and importers of the R4 devices around the world, including the Netherlands, the UK and the U.S.


Comments

Re: R4 Cards Now Illegal in UK

Well, the R4 is a piece of crap anyways, no self-respecting homebrewer (or pirate, for that matter) uses it, only the ignorant people use it, so eliminating the source of 'casual' piracy can only be good, really.

Re: R4 Cards Now Illegal in UK

Er, you DO realize that the ruling doesn't apply exclusively to the R4, right?

Re: R4 Cards Now Illegal in UK

So then it was because it had a legal use it was legal regardless and today because it has a illegal use its illegal regardless....ya..... I smell lobby money and government corruption.....


I have a dream, break the chains of copy right oppression! http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/2010/05/21/cigital-disobedience/


Copyright infringement is nothing more than civil disobedience to a bad set of laws. Let's renegotiate them.

---

http://zippydsm.deviantart.com/

Re: R4 Cards Now Illegal in UK

Yeah, Napster that thing.

Though people are likely to find a way to get them anyway.

 
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Andrew EisenOkay, fixed. For really reals this time!06/19/2013 - 12:42am
Sleaker@AE The actual link to the pay what you want is www.indiegamestand.com not desura. You seem to infer where it's at but never posted a link.06/19/2013 - 12:01am
Andrew EisenLEGO: The Movie! www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPnY2NjSjrg06/18/2013 - 9:39pm
Zenhttp://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20130614/OFFDUTY02/306140030/New-Xbox-sin-against-all-service-members-06/18/2013 - 7:33pm
ZenBeen out for a few days, but has anyone brought up the possible ban on Xbox One on military bases because of security concerns that it could be a listening device by Commanders?06/18/2013 - 7:33pm
Andrew EisenSleaker - Fixed.06/18/2013 - 6:34pm
MechaTama31CMiner: Another issue is that every camera/webcam combination is going to be pretty different, in terms of the software/hardware exploits available. A homogenous hardware/software combo like a console, in millions of homes, will be a much juicier target.06/18/2013 - 6:31pm
SleakerVox pay what you want link is busted.06/18/2013 - 6:27pm
ZippyDSMleeMics have to breath put tape over it.06/18/2013 - 6:25pm
NyuRenaYou nailed it James! Yikes..06/18/2013 - 1:56pm
james_fudgeWith MS willing to share with the government, an always listening device should give everyone pause.06/18/2013 - 1:37pm
james_fudgeyou can't turn off the Microphone on the Kinect and it has to be plugged in. It's not rocket science.06/18/2013 - 1:35pm
E. Zachary KnightThe Humble Bundle Guys just don't like me having money in my pocket do they? https://www.humblebundle.com/06/18/2013 - 1:12pm
E. Zachary KnightCMiner, I know that my Android camera is off unless I am using an application that turns it on. Same with the microphone.06/18/2013 - 12:38pm
CMinerCan you turn off the camera on an iPhone? Like, -really- turn it off, not just change a setting that -tells- you the camera is off?06/18/2013 - 12:13pm
james_fudgewhen they make it a requirement, yes they are06/18/2013 - 12:10pm
CMinerI just don't think Microsoft bears any more (or less) responsibility for privacy with its Kinect camera than do the makers of laptops or smartphones with integrated cameras.06/18/2013 - 12:00pm
ImautobotThe ability to operate the console without the camera is key. It's a peripheral, not directly integrated into the console, and yet it behaves as if it is. Thankfully I don't have kids, and won't have an Xbone either.06/18/2013 - 11:49am
CMinerOh, I agree that the decision to make the kinect mandatory/always listening is terrible.06/18/2013 - 11:48am
E. Zachary KnightCMiner, and the easier the provider makes to do such things, the better. The fact that the XBone will not even funtion without it plugged in and turned on in some fashion makes a world of difference from a PC Webcam.06/18/2013 - 11:38am
 

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