Mine…Gaming and Copyright
We found this video at Dailymotion.com which talks about the difficulties people found in categorising video games when they first emerged and the implications this has had for the law and copyright. To see the video, click here
Australian IT: Microsoft Pounces on eBay Software Trader
As reported at the Australian, Microsoft has sought $125,000 in compensation as part of an anti-piracy sting from a software trader who has been selling Microsoft product illegally.
To find out more, click here.
Australian Authorities Confiscate Illegal Game Copiers and Counterfeit Nintendo Products
Australia, 10 March, 2010 –
Nintendo confirms that the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service have seized game copiers (commonly referred to as R4 cards) and other counterfeit Nintendo products from an importer attempting to distribute the products in Australia. This is the first Australian customs seizure of game copiers of this type.
Video game piracy continues to be a serious problem in Australia. Nintendo attributes it to the availability of game copiers, the devices that circumvent the technical protection measures embedded in the Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi systems that enable the play of illegal Nintendo software downloaded via the Internet. Game copiers infringe Nintendo’s trademarks and copyright and breach the “circumvention device” provisions of the
Nintendo Successfully Takes Action Against R4 Cards
Australia, 19 February, 2010 –
Nintendo confirms it has successfully taken action against an Australian company in relation to game copying devices, commonly referred to as R4 cards. In September 2009 Nintendo filed proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia against RSJ. IT Solutions Pty Ltd which trades as “GadgetGear” – an online seller of gadgets, including gaming consoles and accessories- and the individual directors of the company, Patrick Li and James Li.
GadgetGear and its directors have now acknowledged that game copying devices infringe both Nintendo’s copyright and Nintendo’s trademarks and that they are illegal circumvention devices. As a result, GadgetGear and the directors have agreed to permanently refrain from importing, offering for sale and/or selling game copier devices. GadgetGear and the directors will also pay Nintendo a total of A$620,000.00 by way of damages. GadgetGear will also be delivering to Nintendo all its stock of game copiers for destruction. (more…)
Nintendo Takes Action to Combat Video Game Piracy
Australia, 9 February, 2010 –
Nintendo confirms the settlement of a Federal Court action against an individual in Australia for illegally copying and uploading to the Internet the first game file of Nintendo’s highly-anticipated video game, New Super Mario Bros. Wii for the Wii™ console. The game file was first made available for illegal download worldwide on 6 November, 2009, a week prior to its official release in Australia.
This legal proceeding was commenced to protect the creative rights and innovation of game developers, and to combat the growing international problem of Internet piracy. Under Australian law, copying and distributing games without the permission of the copyright holder is a breach of the Copyright Act. (more…)
Illegal downloading never ‘morally justifiable’ – NZFACT
The National Business Review published NZFACT’s Tony Eaton’s thoughts on the justification (or lack of) for illegally downloading movies.
Tony reminds readers that “every illegal download of a movie deprives a filmmaker of payment for their work. And that has flow on effects to what is literally a cast of thousands involved in that project.”
The NBR article is availble here.
Rand Report on Film Piracy, Organized Crime, and Terrorism
This report presents the findings of some research into the involvement of organzied crime and terrorist groups in counterfeiting a wide range of products. It presents detailed cases studies into one area of particular interest – film piracy to show how the broader problem of criminal and perhaps even terrorist groups are finding new way s of funding their activities.
To read the report click here.
Fact Sheet: Technological Protection Measures
FACTS about Technological Protection Measures (TPMs)
Recently there were a number of major amendments to the Copyright Act 1968. Key changes relevant to the interactive entertainment industry relate to Technological Protection Measures (TPMs) and the enforcement provisions. The following FAQ will explain: (more…)
Videogame Piracy – An Overview
Game piracy is the unauthorised copying or “burning” of games, sharing games on peer-to-peer networks, or illegal download of games from the Internet.
Each year these actions cost the industry $100 million in lost sales, as well as hundreds of full and part time Australian jobs. Australia has a world-class computer and video game industry. Every pirated game is damaging the future of games development in Australia. (more…)
Making the intangible tangible: the economic contribution of Australia’s copyright industries
On 26 November 2008, the Federal Attorney General, Hon Robert McClelland MP, launched the report Making the intangible tangible: the economic contribution of Australia’s copyright industries at Parliament House, Canberra. (more…)
Good Game: Games Piracy field story
Taken off the 26th May, 2008 episode of Good Game on ABC2.
This is a field story about Video Games Piracy.
Watch the Video on the Good Game website
Stay aware of Pirated Video Games this Christmas says IEAA
Sydney, Australia – 13 December, 2007 – Consumers are being urged to look carefully when buying computer and video games this Christmas season to avoid purchasing pirated product. According to the Interactive Entertainment Association of Australia (IEAA), computer and video game piracy increases dramatically during the Christmas period and consumers need to take precautions to ensure that they do not support games piracy by purchasing illegal games. (more…)