Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Apple removes dozens of clone games from App Store]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/06/apple-removes-dozens-of-clone-games-from-app-store/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/06/apple-removes-dozens-of-clone-games-from-app-store/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/06/apple-removes-dozens-of-clone-games-from-app-store/#commentsApple has removed 59 copycat games from its App Store, including Temple Run lookalike Temple Jump, Words with Friends contender Numbers with Friends, Angry Birds clones Tiny Birds and Angry Ninja Birds, and the self explanatory Plant vs. Zombie. All of the offending clones were developed by Anton Sinelnikov.

Temple Jump, specifically, had achieved incredible success on the App Store, surpassing its source material to reach the number 1 spot on the paid Apps list. "This was really upsetting to us and damaging to our brand, because we work really hard to put out very high quality polished games and win the love of our fans," said Natalia Luckyanova, co-founder of Temple Run dev Imangi, during an interview with Gamasutra. "We don't want them to think that we would put out crap to steal a dollar from them."

This App Store raid comes roughly one week after Triple Town developer Spry Fox sued 6Waves LOLAPPS over Yeti Town, another aggressively similar iOS title. We like to imagine Apple Store employees rappelling from the ceiling of a dank, filthy warehouse, shooting iPod Nanos out of high-powered slingshots with extreme prejudice.

JoystiqApple removes dozens of clone games from App Store originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Angry-BirdsAppleclonecopycatcounterfeitiosipadiphonemacmobileTemple-JumpTemple-Runwords-with-friendsMon, 06 Feb 2012 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Something isn't rite with this DS lite]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/12/something-isnt-rite-with-this-ds-lite/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/12/something-isnt-rite-with-this-ds-lite/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/12/something-isnt-rite-with-this-ds-lite/#comments Tales of counterfeit DS games are nothing new, but 1UP's Jeremy Parish believes he's come across a counterfeit DS Lite. With the news that the handheld will soon disappear from retail shelves, Parish set about procuring an Apple Green unit. Ordering what appeared to be a legitimate system from a reputable eBay seller, Parish received the unit weeks later only to discover several small but significant flaws ranging from misaligned text to a warped GBA slot.

The verdict: this was not a stock Nintendo DS Lite, though it does play DS and GBA games with no problems. While Parish believed it to be a complete counterfeit, some 1UP readers have pointed out that it could simply be a broken DS that someone repaired, outfitted with an aftermarket replacement shell and sold as new. Either way, let the story stand as a warning to anyone looking to procure a DS Lite as its lifespan comes to a close.

JoystiqSomething isn't rite with this DS lite originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 May 2011 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>counterfeitculturedsds-liteknockoffnintendoThu, 12 May 2011 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Square Enix hits Final Fantasy replica dealers for $600,000 in damage]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/25/square-enix-hits-final-fantasy-replica-dealers-for-600-000-in-d/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/25/square-enix-hits-final-fantasy-replica-dealers-for-600-000-in-d/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/25/square-enix-hits-final-fantasy-replica-dealers-for-600-000-in-d/#comments
A fistful of Final Fantasy counterfeiters recently found their hit points squelched by a summon of the judicial kind. Square Enix announced that it reached a settlement in its federal lawsuit against "at least" four online retailers of unlicensed Final Fantasy knock-offs, primarily sword replicas, netting the role-playing giant a hefty 600,000 gil dollar judgment.

Traffickers, which included Edgework Imports, Top Swords, Wholesale Gallery and Pacific Solutions Marketing, are barred from dealing in Final Fantasy fakery, either through their own stores or other online sites such as eBay or Amazon.

Obviously shaken, the defendants issued a joint statement that they "regret" selling copies to customers, and "would not have begun importing and selling these swords if we knew that Square Enix would respond so aggressively to stop us. We will never make this mistake again." Translation: We knew what we were doing was wrong, we just didn't, you know, think Square Enix would do anything about it.

JoystiqSquare Enix hits Final Fantasy replica dealers for $600,000 in damage originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Feb 2009 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>counterfeitfinal-fantasylawsuitreplicasquare-enixswordWed, 25 Feb 2009 06:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Counterfeit DS sellers busted in UK]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/counterfeit-ds-sellers-busted-in-uk/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/counterfeit-ds-sellers-busted-in-uk/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/counterfeit-ds-sellers-busted-in-uk/#commentsFiled under:


For the first time in the nation's history, a couple have been caught selling counterfeit DS systems. The dastardly duo set up shop in Kent, and were nabbed with 40 counterfeit handhelds. The two were unloading the units on unsuspecting eBay shoppers, with Bromley Trading Standards Department and local police catching the criminals.

On top of the systems, the bust also resulted in the capture of faulty power units, game-copying devices, and 150 counterfeit games for the DS and GBA. Authorities suspect the couple made upwards of £50,000 during the month of December alone, and have been at this for at least two years. Remember, kids: crime doesn't pay. Unless it's the month of December and you're willing to go to jail for a long time the following month.

JoystiqCounterfeit DS sellers busted in UK originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>counterfeitcrimekenttheftukFri, 23 Jan 2009 13:03:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: DS-like]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/06/ds-daily-ds-like/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/06/ds-daily-ds-like/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/06/ds-daily-ds-like/#commentsFiled under:


Okay, sure, they can catch fire and kill you or whatever, but we must confess that we are quite tempted to acquire one of the counterfeit DS consoles about which we were sternly warned. A cheaply-produced knockoff DS sounds like quite the novelty! We wouldn't mind having a stunt double for the all-DS kung-fu action movie we're working on in our spare time, either (Duel Screens, if you're curious).

Despite the fact that they're basically useless, we are fascinated with knockoff stuff like the Neo Double Games system. What about you? Do you harbor a secret desire to own lousy DS-esque hardware?

JoystiqDS Daily: DS-like originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 06 Dec 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>counterfeitknockoffneo-double-games-liteSat, 06 Dec 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[British gov't warns parents about 'fake' DS Lites]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/05/british-govt-warns-parents-about-fake-ds-lites/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/05/british-govt-warns-parents-about-fake-ds-lites/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/05/british-govt-warns-parents-about-fake-ds-lites/#commentsFiled under: ,

In this case, the "D" in "DS" stands for "dangerous." BBC News reports that the British government is warning parents about the dangers of counterfeit Nintendo DS and DS Lite systems being imported into the UK. According to the BBC, these "fake" handhelds include power adapters prone to catching fire. Well, the DS' codename was Nitro ...

HM Revenue & Customs rep, Claire Merrills, told the BBC that there could be something more sinister going on here than mere crappy adapters errupting into flames. She cautioned parents, saying that "When you buy these goods, you're not funding our economy, you're actually funding criminals in these far off places and it could be linked to terrorism." Yes, she went there.

Her advice for avoiding these knockoff terror devices: Check to make sure they're real. Our advice: If it's half the price of a DS, advertised as "brand new," and called a "Nintando D-Light," pass on it, 'kay? We're dying (not by fire) to see one of these things, actually. UK readers: you have your mission. Pictures in comments if you can find one, por favor.

JoystiqBritish gov't warns parents about 'fake' DS Lites originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>counterfeitDSds-litefireterrorism-cardFri, 05 Dec 2008 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[UK parents instructed about knockoff consoles]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/05/bbc-warns-parents-of-knockoff-consoles/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/05/bbc-warns-parents-of-knockoff-consoles/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/05/bbc-warns-parents-of-knockoff-consoles/#commentsFiled under:


Knockoff electronics must be a big issue in the UK, because the BBC is airing a public service advisary from Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs that takes extra care to show parents and other potential gaming consumers the warning signs of counterfeit goods. Not only is it a danger to shoppers because it's not what they intended to purchase, but because these counterfeit devices could pose a fire hazard or some other danger to the child or children the gift is intended for. They provide a handy little checklist that allows consumers to know if they're looking at a legit Nintendo handheld or some knockoff.

JoystiqUK parents instructed about knockoff consoles originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Dec 2008 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bbccounterfeitds-liteukFri, 05 Dec 2008 13:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Two men arrested in Ireland for selling fake Wii consoles]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/22/two-men-arrested-in-ireland-for-selling-fake-wii-consoles/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/22/two-men-arrested-in-ireland-for-selling-fake-wii-consoles/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/22/two-men-arrested-in-ireland-for-selling-fake-wii-consoles/#commentsFiled under:

In Northern Ireland, a pair of men were apparently selling counterfeit Wii consoles (no, not the Vii). When searching a car in the New Lodge Road area of Belfast, police discovered several counterfeit consoles. The men, aged 19 and 22, were then detained by police.

We'd just like to take this moment to warn that it could happen to any of you. If you're still desperate for a console (you should be able to track one down at a store by now, if you check early enough every day, we would think) and using services like craigslist or eBay, take caution. The person selling the Wii could be trying to pull the wool over your eyes.

JoystiqTwo men arrested in Ireland for selling fake Wii consoles originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Oct 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>counterfeitcounterfeitingcrimeirelandukWed, 22 Oct 2008 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Future R4 firmware to sabotage clones, brick DSes?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/03/future-r4-firmware-to-sabotage-clones-brick-dses/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/03/future-r4-firmware-to-sabotage-clones-brick-dses/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/03/future-r4-firmware-to-sabotage-clones-brick-dses/#commentsFiled under: ,



It's a funny twist that the R4DS, a product used mostly for pirating games, has found itself now battling it out with counterfeits carts that have infiltrated the market, but we assume that's just how Chinese flashcart companies roll.

Seeking to eliminate its knock-off competition, Team R4 has announced that as of September 15, it will release firmware that will only work on genuine R4 flashcarts, according to a statement translated by GBAtemp. As an added deterrent, users attempting to load the firmware on illegitimate carts could potentially damage their DS permanently, leaving their system unusable.

What if you've unknowingly bought a fake R4 (for running homebrew software, of course) and brick your DS after trying to install the updated firmware? Team R4 has stated that it will not accept responsibility, advising that you contact your "unscrupulous" shop to complain. Thanks, Team R4!

We understand that it's annoying to have all these companies drinking their milkshake, but is this really necessary? Won't this drive away potential R4 customers, not to mention people curious about experimenting with DS homebrew? Make sure to look through our (semi) ultimate homebrew guide if you're interested in finding flashcart alternatives that won't leave your system bricked.

See also: Homebrew Glossary

[Via GBAtemp]

JoystiqFuture R4 firmware to sabotage clones, brick DSes? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Jul 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beastie-boysbrickcounterfeitfirmwarer4sabotageThu, 03 Jul 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Counterfeiter ordered to pay Nintendo 2.5 million]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/05/counterfeiter-ordered-to-pay-nintendo-2-5-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/05/counterfeiter-ordered-to-pay-nintendo-2-5-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/05/counterfeiter-ordered-to-pay-nintendo-2-5-million/#commentsFiled under: ,

A Uruguayan Civil Court Judge recently ordered a major counterfeiter of Nintendo games to pay the company 2.5 million U.S. dollars in damages and legal expenses. We're not talking about a few downloaded ROMs or flash carts packed with emulators. The defender and three of his related corporations were deemed responsible for the sale of tens of thousands of counterfeit Nintendo games.

Counterfeiting on this scale hurts everyone. In China alone, piracy accounted for $762 million in stolen booty last year, which is no small sum of cash. It also makes baby kittens cry. People who make kitties cry should lose large amounts of money.

JoystiqCounterfeiter ordered to pay Nintendo 2.5 million originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Jul 2007 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businesscounterfeitcourtlegalnintendopiracyuruguayThu, 05 Jul 2007 19:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo joins US govt's crusade against piracy in China]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/10/nintendo-joins-us-govts-crusade-against-piracy-in-china/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/10/nintendo-joins-us-govts-crusade-against-piracy-in-china/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/10/nintendo-joins-us-govts-crusade-against-piracy-in-china/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

run.
Nintendo has pledged its support of a US-led stance against China's burgeoning military budget, er, counterfeit video games market, according to a company presser today. With few government restrictions holding them back, pirates plundered an estimated $762 million worth of booty in China last year. And these scallywags aren't your typical kid brothers burning DVDs in the basement and exchanging them for lunch allowances in the cafeteria. No, this is well-organized crime, which has accounted for the more than 7.7 million counterfeit gaming products seized during the past four years -- and only a single criminal prosecution brought against the more than 300 Chinese factories and retailers dealing in this illicit trade. To avoid punishment, an operation need only keep its pirated stock below a certain threshold and do away with bookkeeping.

The rampant piracy, which affects hundreds of companies in the games industry, has prompted the US Trade Representative to seek formal consultations with China regarding the government's failure to meet World Trade Organization obligations concerning intellectual property protection. Nintendo has chipped in, providing evidence of piracy in China and other countries during the annual "Special 301" investigation. In turn, the US Trade Representative will use this evidence to push China to comply with global standards. "Progress must be made," urged an unusually stern Nintendo.

JoystiqNintendo joins US govt's crusade against piracy in China originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Apr 2007 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinacounterfeitgovernmentillegalnintendopiracypiratewtoTue, 10 Apr 2007 14:59:00 EST