Key information
The Electronic Software Association has formally requested that the United States government suppress retro handheld devices that arrive pre-loaded with unlicensed software. In an October 6 filing submitted to the Office of the United States Trade Representative, the organization labeled these products as superfakes.
The ESA is advocating for these emulation devices to be included in the Notorious Markets List. This annual report identifies marketplaces involved in piracy, and inclusion could potentially restrict or diminish the profitability of these manufacturers.
The association argues that these devices mimic legitimate consumer electronics through polished interfaces and retail packaging. However, their primary value stems from internal storage containing thousands of unauthorized copies of protected titles, with the filing specifically highlighting manufacturer Anbernic and various console attempts by Soulja Boy.
Beyond hardware, the ESA filing also targets digital marketplaces like Eldorado, FunPay, G2A, and Voices38. The organization claims these platforms facilitate the sale of pirated games and modded accounts, seeking restitution for the damage these practices cause to the broader gaming industry.
