UK Pokemon Importers Could Face Legal Action

Metal Mario · 04-28-2003, 03:27 PM

*Source: GamerFeed

Nintendo has issued a warning today to all retailers in the UK who are importing copies of Pokemon Sapphire and Pokemon Ruby for the GBA. The company has indicated that Nintendo will take legal action if the importing becomes more widespread.

The GBA cartridges do not have a regional lockout protection, which enables gamers and retailers alike to import the much anticipated Pokemon games from the US, as the UK launch is still approximately 2 months away. The US versions were both released 2 weeks ago.

Many importers in the UK at independent retailers are selling the Pokemon games. Some of the retailers are even able to sell the games cheaper than what Nintendo is planning on having them charge in two months. This has caused many retailers to begin importing the game from the US at a fairly irregular rate, something that will hinder the official Nintendo launch of the game on July 25th.

Nintendo's UK general manager, Andy Williams, commented on the issue in a recent article in a UK trade paper called MVC. "Nintendo is monitoring the situation closely and is prepared to take legal action against importers and retailers should the number become significant. The games currently on sale are not intended for sale within the EEA."

Williams also noted that at the present time the importing is not significant enough to cause serious damage to the UK launch; however, that could change.

04-28-2003, 03:52 PM

Make that 3 months since the game will be released July 25th.

I did buy an imported copy of Silver, but I don't really care about R/S.

***Heroine of the Dragon*** · 04-29-2003, 11:26 PM

I dunno how many Aussies import games. If I could find someone who'd import Tactics Ogre, I'd buy it in a second... shame the release dates are so spread apart around the world.

04-30-2003, 04:00 PM

What's the problem with imports? As long as it's paid for and not stolen, who cares what country it's from?

And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

05-01-2003, 07:54 PM

If NoE Released the game in a reasonable timescale to the US version, then this wouldn't be an issue, so stop *****ing; It's your own fault...

A word of Warning: Although there are no regional lockouts, some games do have issues, as I found out to my cost: The US version of LttP will not link to the EU version, and there are some Chao Garden issues with Sonic Advance/Sonic Advance 2 /Sonic Adventure 2 battle....

Lava · 05-01-2003, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CaptHayfever:
What's the problem with imports? As long as it's paid for and not stolen, who cares what country it's from?

And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

05-01-2003, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CaptHayfever:
What's the problem with imports? As long as it's paid for and not stolen, who cares what country it's from?

And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

Nintendo generally prefers to be able to play each market seperately. Some markets you can charge more in for various reasons, and Nintendo, as an company with a monopolistic side, would like to do that.

I'm not entirely sure what legal argument Nintendo could possibly have though.

05-02-2003, 03:03 PM

Nintendo should shove their heads up their own asses, I mean look at ebay! For the love of multiplayer, THEY SHOULD JUST SHUT UP!

04-28-2003, 03:27 PM	#1
Metal Mario Game Brain Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 14,262 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Points: 8,048.00 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 8,048.00 Donate	*Source: GamerFeed Nintendo has issued a warning today to all retailers in the UK who are importing copies of Pokemon Sapphire and Pokemon Ruby for the GBA. The company has indicated that Nintendo will take legal action if the importing becomes more widespread. The GBA cartridges do not have a regional lockout protection, which enables gamers and retailers alike to import the much anticipated Pokemon games from the US, as the UK launch is still approximately 2 months away. The US versions were both released 2 weeks ago. Many importers in the UK at independent retailers are selling the Pokemon games. Some of the retailers are even able to sell the games cheaper than what Nintendo is planning on having them charge in two months. This has caused many retailers to begin importing the game from the US at a fairly irregular rate, something that will hinder the official Nintendo launch of the game on July 25th. Nintendo's UK general manager, Andy Williams, commented on the issue in a recent article in a UK trade paper called MVC. "Nintendo is monitoring the situation closely and is prepared to take legal action against importers and retailers should the number become significant. The games currently on sale are not intended for sale within the EEA." Williams also noted that at the present time the importing is not significant enough to cause serious damage to the UK launch; however, that could change.

04-28-2003, 03:52 PM	#2
Koga Guest Posts: n/a Points: 0 Bank: 0 Total Points: 0 Donate	Make that 3 months since the game will be released July 25th. I did buy an imported copy of Silver, but I don't really care about R/S.

04-29-2003, 11:26 PM	#3
*Heroine of the Dragon* The Grinnie Fool! ♥ VGFCodes Staff Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: In a pretty place surrounded by sparkly faerie dust!! Gender: Posts: 28,147 Thanks: 323 Thanked 407 Times in 311 Posts Blog Entries: 1 Points: 126,212.57 Bank: 5,445,770.34 Total Points: 5,571,982.90 Donate	I dunno how many Aussies import games. If I could find someone who'd import Tactics Ogre, I'd buy it in a second... shame the release dates are so spread apart around the world.

04-30-2003, 04:00 PM	#4
CaptHayfever Guest Posts: n/a Points: 0 Bank: 0 Total Points: 0 Donate	What's the problem with imports? As long as it's paid for and not stolen, who cares what country it's from? And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

05-01-2003, 07:54 PM	#5
jolteon Guest Posts: n/a Points: 0 Bank: 0 Total Points: 0 Donate	If NoE Released the game in a reasonable timescale to the US version, then this wouldn't be an issue, so stop *****ing; It's your own fault... A word of Warning: Although there are no regional lockouts, some games do have issues, as I found out to my cost: The US version of LttP will not link to the EU version, and there are some Chao Garden issues with Sonic Advance/Sonic Advance 2 /Sonic Adventure 2 battle....

05-02-2003, 03:03 PM	#8
Ed the Spamyard Guest Posts: n/a Points: 0 Bank: 0 Total Points: 0 Donate	Nintendo should shove their heads up their own asses, I mean look at ebay! For the love of multiplayer, THEY SHOULD JUST SHUT UP!