FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
Lynn Hvalsoe\Nintendo of America Inc.
(206) 861-2096
James Bikoff\Arter & Hadden
(202) 775-7100
NINTENDO JOINS IN SEIZURE AGAINST ILLEGAL BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE
REDMOND, WA -- As part of a continuing and aggressive effort to
halt counterfeiting of video games and business software, Nintends of
America Inc. and six major software manufactures filed an action
against distributors of computer "bulletin board" network system giving
software access to users.
Illegal software was seized by authorities from APL, an electronic
bulletin board computer system (BBS) headquartered in Baltimore, MD.
"Counterfeiting and illegal use of video games and business
software has grown immensely over the past few years. We have and will
continue to prosecute those who've become part of the underground
counterfeiting network," said Lynn Hvalsoe, Nintendo's General Counsel.
The legal action outlines that illegal software was accessed
through opperators who provide personal computers a code to enter the
system via telephone and modem. Illegal bulletin boards have become a
popular trend, with an estimated 5,000 systems in the United States.
Illegal bulletin boards also have been found in Europe and Asia.
This case represents the first time video game and business
software companies have joind together to fight software pirating. The
business software companies, represented in this case through the
Business Software Associatiom (BSA), includes Aldus, Autodesk, Lotus
Development, Microsoft. Novel and WordPerfect. All companies,
including Nintendo, are individual plaintiffs in the legal action.
The action is part of Nintendo's large anti-counterfeiting
campain, much of which is aimed at illegal video games being
manufactured, sold and shipped from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other
countries.
"Counterfeiting is a very serious crime and Nintendo is working
hard to let violaters know they will be pursued and charges will be
brought against them," added Hvalsoe. Hvalsoe pointed to success this
year in the signing of Federal legislation (S893) which elevates
copyright infringement, such as that engaged in by bulletin board
operators, to a felony with penalties upto $250,00/and up to five years
in prison.
Nintendo of America Inc. is bassed in Redmond, Washington and is a
wholly owned subsidiary of Nintendo Co. Ltd., the worlds largest
manufacturer and marketer of video games.
########
Nintendo of America Inc.
4820 150th Avenue N.E.
Redmond, WA 98052-5111
