Nintendo Lawyer Lifts the Lid on Approach to Piracy and Emulation

Nintendos aggressive Haltung gegenüber Emulation und Piraterie ist gut dokumentiert. Recent legal actions highlight this, including the $2.4 million settlement with Yuzu emulator developers in March 2024, the cessation of Ryujinx development in October 2024 following Nintendo's intervention, and the legal advice preventing a full Steam release for the Dolphin emulator in 2023 due to Nintendo's pressure. The infamous 2023 case against Gary Bowser, involving the sale of devices that bypassed Nintendo Switch security, resulted in a $14.5 million debt.

Jetzt hat ein Nintendo -Patentanwalt, Koji Nishiura, die rechtliche Strategie des Unternehmens beleuchtet. Speaking at Tokyo eSports Festa 2025, Nishiura clarified that while emulators aren't inherently illegal, their use can become illegal depending on how they function. Specifically, emulators that copy game programs or disable console security measures may infringe on copyright laws, primarily under Japan's Unfair Competition Prevention Act (UCPA). Dieses Gesetz begrenzt jedoch die rechtliche Reichweite von Nintendo außerhalb Japans.

Nishiura zitierte die Nintendo DS "R4" -Karte als Beispiel. Mit diesem Gerät konnten Benutzer die Sicherheit umgehen und Raubkopien spielen. Nach einer Klage, an der Nintendo und 50 andere Softwareunternehmen beteiligt waren, wurde der R4 2009 in Japan effektiv verboten.

Furthermore, Nishiura pointed out that tools facilitating pirated software downloads within emulators, termed "reach apps" in Japanese law, also violate copyright. Er verwendete Beispiele wie das "Freeshop" des 3DS und den "Zinpoil" des Schalters als Illustrationen.

The Yuzu lawsuit further emphasizes Nintendo's concerns, alleging one million instances of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom piracy facilitated by the emulator's Patreon, which generated $30,000 monthly for its developers through premium features and early access.