Italy’s financial police have taken action against a group involved in trafficking counterfeit vintage video game consoles from China. This ring was found to be selling consoles loaded with pirated video games from the 1980s and 90s. The financial police in Turin seized around 12,000 consoles that contained over 47 million illegal video games. The estimated value of these consoles and the pirated games is more than 47.5 million euros.
The popular titles found on these consoles included games like Mario Bros., Street Fighter, and Star Wars, imitating franchises from Nintendo, Sega, and Atari. These games from past decades have been gaining popularity again due to the trend of “retrogaming.” This trend has seen a strong commercial expansion, making these counterfeit consoles an attractive option for buyers.
The seized consoles did not meet the technical and safety standards required in Europe. Despite this, they were being imported from China to be sold in specialized stores or online platforms like Amazon. The involvement of Amazon in the investigation proved to be crucial in helping the police track down the illegal trafficking of these counterfeit goods.
As a result of this operation, nine Italians have been arrested for their involvement in trading counterfeit goods. They are facing charges that could lead to up to eight years of imprisonment. This crackdown on retro video game trafficking highlights the importance of enforcing intellectual property rights and ensuring the safety of consumers.
It is essential for consumers to be cautious when purchasing retro gaming consoles and to verify the authenticity of the products they are buying. By supporting legitimate businesses and avoiding counterfeit goods, individuals can contribute to a safer and more ethical marketplace for vintage video games. The actions taken by the Italian financial police serve as a reminder of the consequences of engaging in illegal activities related to intellectual property rights.