Summary
Nintendo still hasn’t dealt with the influx of bootlegPokemonvending machines. The automats sellingbootleg copies of some classicPokemongameswere first spotted in California in early 2022.
As one of the most recognizable brands in the world, thePokemonfranchise has been a frequent subject of everything from trading card counterfeits to unlicensed merchandise. And while bootlegPokemonmerch often fails the eye test, unlicensed copies of game cartridges for some of Nintendo’s older consoles can be nearly indistinguishable from the real deal to the untrained eye.
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The reproductions sold by the vending machines that recently surfaced in some California malls don’t exactly fall into that category, not least because they come in clear plastic cases instead of any legitimate-looking packaging. The automats also appear to sellPokemon Greencartridges, which were never officially released outside of Japan. And while the first such vending machine was spotted all the way back in February 2022, it would appear that Nintendo still hasn’t dealt with this blatant copyright infringement, as LA-based Twitter user Reb stumbled on another one of these machines in late July 2023.
In the meantime, it would appear that the owner of this bootlegPokemonventure has actually expanded their business; based on existing social media reports, they currently operate at least five such machines throughout California. And while all of them attach a single price tag to every one of their products, that figure seems to vary by location, ranging from $10 to $15. The apparent owner, whose contact information is prominently featured on every one of these machines, is also charging an extra $1 service fee for non-cash purchases.
Given the sheer size of thePokemonfandom, the continued prevalence of bootleg games and merchandise based on the franchise is far from surprising. But what’s curious is that Nintendo still hasn’t cracked down on this illicit business, especially given its reputation as one of the most litigious companies in all of entertainment. Not only hasNintendo amassed some big legal victoriesover the years, but it also often makes it a point to go after people and businesses monetizing piracy.
In one recent high-profile example of that policy, Canadian national Gary Bowser was sentenced to 40 months in U.S. federal prison and received a $20 million fine for his role in Team-Xecuter, which had been selling hacked Nintendo consoles capable of playing pirated game ROMs. And while Bowser was released from prison in April 2023, thehacker will be paying Nintendo for the rest of his life.
