ESA Visits Mexican Market, Returns with 91,000 Bootleg Games
ESA Visits Mexican Market, Returns with 91,000 Bootleg Games
November 10, 2008
The Entertainment Software Association, the trade group which represents U.S. video game publishers, has issued a press release detailing a raid on a notorious marketplace in Guadalajara, Mexico.
According to the release, Mexican law enforcement officials acting in concert with the ESA raided the San Juan de Dios Market where they seized:
- 91,200 illegal copies of video games
- 130,000 video game cover inserts
- 3,200 empty video game boxes
In June, as GamePolitics reported, the ESA staged a similar operation in Mexico City's Tepito marketplace.
Of the latest raid, ESA boss Michael Gallagher commented:
Piracy in markets such as San Juan de Dios hurts businesses engaging in the legitimate distribution and retailing of computer and video games. We commend Mexican law enforcement officials for their actions in this raid and are committed to fully supporting authorities around the world who conduct these kinds of enforcement actions.
GP: At left is a video glimpse (not from the raid) of the San Juan de Dios Market.
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Posted 11/07/09 at 04:27pm
ZippyDSMlee: man I got alot of junk and dup files too >< god I need orginization...and no not the knee capping media mafia kind :P
ZippyDSMlee: man I got alot of junk and dup files too >< god I need orginization...and no not the knee capping media mafia kind :P
Posted 11/07/09 at 04:26pm
ZippyDSMlee: replaced :P
ZippyDSMlee: replaced :P
Posted 11/07/09 at 04:23pm
ZippyDSMlee: beemoh:hey its like 60GB porn,400GB anime 100GB games and crap I have took from all my DVDs, I hate waiting on dvds to install stuff..... oh and 40GB of my porn was in the found.000 folder...mostly corrupted.... least I got names of wut needs to be repa
ZippyDSMlee: beemoh:hey its like 60GB porn,400GB anime 100GB games and crap I have took from all my DVDs, I hate waiting on dvds to install stuff..... oh and 40GB of my porn was in the found.000 folder...mostly corrupted.... least I got names of wut needs to be repa
Posted 11/07/09 at 04:18pm
beemoh: @Zip: ...and you'd have to spend all that time re-downloading that porn?
beemoh: @Zip: ...and you'd have to spend all that time re-downloading that porn?
Posted 11/07/09 at 03:34pm
ZippyDSMlee: ggrrrrr......vista lost one of my hard drives and I had a heart attack thinking I lost 1TB of data....
ZippyDSMlee: ggrrrrr......vista lost one of my hard drives and I had a heart attack thinking I lost 1TB of data....
Posted 11/07/09 at 10:58am
JDKJ: Which could be explained by both (a) and (b).
JDKJ: Which could be explained by both (a) and (b).
Posted 11/07/09 at 10:56am
Austin_Lewis: JDKJ: You forgot C) the fact that, for some reason, every time he did something that would suggest he shouldn't be in the military, let alone an officer, higher ups ignored it or let it slide.
Austin_Lewis: JDKJ: You forgot C) the fact that, for some reason, every time he did something that would suggest he shouldn't be in the military, let alone an officer, higher ups ignored it or let it slide.
Posted 11/07/09 at 10:51am
JDKJ: Part of the problem is, I believe, that (a) the Army had a lot of time and money already invested in him and which they were unwilling to simply write-off and (b) an increasing need for the type of skills and services he provided.
JDKJ: Part of the problem is, I believe, that (a) the Army had a lot of time and money already invested in him and which they were unwilling to simply write-off and (b) an increasing need for the type of skills and services he provided.
Posted 11/07/09 at 10:48am
JDKJ: And that even if he was begging not to get cut loose, he was apparently a real good candidate for being cut loose, anyway.
JDKJ: And that even if he was begging not to get cut loose, he was apparently a real good candidate for being cut loose, anyway.
Posted 11/07/09 at 10:11am
JDKJ: @chada: And while Kennedy once noted that there's usually more than enough blame for everyone to get a slice, the possibility that the Army was unwilling to cut loose someone who was asking to get cut loose could be a factor.
JDKJ: @chada: And while Kennedy once noted that there's usually more than enough blame for everyone to get a slice, the possibility that the Army was unwilling to cut loose someone who was asking to get cut loose could be a factor.
Posted 11/07/09 at 10:07am
ZippyDSMlee: *noms on his feet*..nomnomnomnom*droooll* ...wuuutttttt uuu looking at?
ZippyDSMlee: *noms on his feet*..nomnomnomnom*droooll* ...wuuutttttt uuu looking at?
Posted 11/07/09 at 10:05am
JDKJ: I'm no psychologist, but I'm told that crazy people have a tendency to do crazy things.
JDKJ: I'm no psychologist, but I'm told that crazy people have a tendency to do crazy things.
Posted 11/07/09 at 10:03am
chadachada321: Whoops, was out of the convo for awhile. I do wonder what type of ammo he used etc, but the real issue is WHY he did it, not HOW
chadachada321: Whoops, was out of the convo for awhile. I do wonder what type of ammo he used etc, but the real issue is WHY he did it, not HOW
Posted 11/07/09 at 09:56am
JDKJ: But if it turns out that they actually did, they'll have Hell to pay.
JDKJ: But if it turns out that they actually did, they'll have Hell to pay.
Posted 11/07/09 at 09:45am
JDKJ: And I'd tend to rule out the possibilty of FN Herstal supplying restricted ammunition to someone merely because they're ordering it from a military base.
JDKJ: And I'd tend to rule out the possibilty of FN Herstal supplying restricted ammunition to someone merely because they're ordering it from a military base.
Posted 11/07/09 at 09:37am
JDKJ: I know you don't leave your gated community and get around much in dark alleys, so you may be surprised to learn that there's this thing called "the black market" where, if you've got enough money, ain't too much of anything which can't be bought.
JDKJ: I know you don't leave your gated community and get around much in dark alleys, so you may be surprised to learn that there's this thing called "the black market" where, if you've got enough money, ain't too much of anything which can't be bought.
Posted 11/07/09 at 09:36am
Austin_Lewis: Or, maybe he or someone else at the base ordered the SS190 from FN Herstal.
Austin_Lewis: Or, maybe he or someone else at the base ordered the SS190 from FN Herstal.
Posted 11/07/09 at 09:32am
Austin_Lewis: the hands of private owners. They run about 300 dollars minimum for a box of 50, and boxes of AP 5.7 are extremely scarce, mainly residing in the hands of Class III stores or individuals who for one reason or another got a demo box of it.
Austin_Lewis: the hands of private owners. They run about 300 dollars minimum for a box of 50, and boxes of AP 5.7 are extremely scarce, mainly residing in the hands of Class III stores or individuals who for one reason or another got a demo box of it.
Posted 11/07/09 at 09:30am
Austin_Lewis: There are other firearms that fire the 5.7. However, I too would like to know where he got the ammo and what kind was used. Maybe Hasan, planning not to live through this, went out and bought one the boxes of SS190 that are floating around in
Austin_Lewis: There are other firearms that fire the 5.7. However, I too would like to know where he got the ammo and what kind was used. Maybe Hasan, planning not to live through this, went out and bought one the boxes of SS190 that are floating around in
Posted 11/07/09 at 08:44am
JDKJ: And it isn't yet clear what type of ammunition Hasan used. It's strange that he purchased a gun but didn't purchase ammunition for it at the same place and time. Especially because the calibre required is peculiar to the actual gun.
JDKJ: And it isn't yet clear what type of ammunition Hasan used. It's strange that he purchased a gun but didn't purchase ammunition for it at the same place and time. Especially because the calibre required is peculiar to the actual gun.
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Comments
The ESA has gotten a LOT of bad press over the past few years, but it's news like this I like to see.
If you make an illegal copy of a game and try to sell it... bye bye.
"Piracy in markets such as San Juan de Dios hurts businesses engaging in the legitimate distribution and retailing of computer and video games."
And yet gamers who follow the law and buy legit copies of the games are the ones who are always, ALWAYS punished.
please dont turn this into a DRM debate. For once can we stay on topic?
Sorry, even though I likely won't be hte only one >.<
SO that is why Mexico is having such a hard time getting their drug cartels out of commission. All available law inforcement is working with the ESA to stop Piracy. Sounds like they have their priorities straight.
E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
MySpace Page: http://www.myspace.com/okceca
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1325674091
right, because there's no possible way they have the ability to do BOTH.
Not to mention the USA is having wonderful success with it's own drug problems.
Sorry. I just heard on the radio this morning about the hard time the Mexico is having with drug cartels. It is really bad down there.
I don't really mind that the ESA is stopping this type of piracy. This is the kind that actually hurts the games industry.
E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
MySpace Page: http://www.myspace.com/okceca
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1325674091
Off Topic: I heard that on the radio this morning, too, on NPR. They've actually had some decent success against the cartels, but new criminal groups just spring up to fill the zoid. The authorities are having a tougher time with the kidnapping rings.
Perhaps they should legalize drugs there, make the cartels legitimate businesses (in Mexico at least) and then use the increase in tax money and the money that would be used against the drugs to go after the kidnapping rings.
Hell it might bring more tourists to Mexico.
----------------------------------------------------
"What for you bury me in the cold cold ground?" - Tasmanian devil
Most of the drug trade in Mexico is about getting it into the US. Billions of dollars worth every year. Part of the issue is appeasing the US government by stopping the influx. Hell, the Mexican government probably wouldn't be taking it as seriously as they are, except that the cartels are turning areas into warzones to fight over turf. The cartels are gaining too much power in the country, so I don't think legalization would change anything at this point.
I hate real software pirates and I hate drug cartels... but man, I love Zoids. The Liger Zero was AWESOME!
Damnit, "void"! I meant void! :)
Dude, the cops might be PART of the drug cartels.
Yes that is part of the problem too. Of course those crooked cops could be the ones sending much needed resourses for the drug cartel fight off to help out the ESA.
E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
MySpace Page: http://www.myspace.com/okceca
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1325674091
Yup... some rotten cops are part of these drug cartels... a lot of us have stopped trusting cops around here for quite some time now.
We have the Mexican Army acting against the Cartels, if you need to know.
Video game piracy in nations with a horrible economic standard are nothing new. If you don't want it to happen, make the product available to these people at severely reduced price instead of charging them the same as other nations. Which puts the product way out of the price range of gamers, hell almost all consumers, in those countries.
If you think Mexico is bad, you should have seen the amount of boot-leg Blu-Ray movies and video games I was practically tripping over when I went to the Philippines this year. Finding a legitimate copy of something over there was a real challenge.
We're not talking about bread, milk, or clean water and housing. This is the Entertainment Industry.
Nobody has the RIGHT to play affordable games.
Nobody has a right to food, water, and shelter in those nations either, bud.
The idea of 'They are poor, so they don't get rich entertainment' is really rather elitest.
Elitist, havn't heard that one in a while!
I'm not going to sit here and shout insults. The fact remains that we're talking about games that run on high end electronics and systems. The idea that "if it was cheaper they wouldnt' steal it" doesn't even apply here.
And your still wrong, everybody in the world has the right to food water and shelter. Wether it's available is another concern.
Something tells me most of the games seized were not for the PS3 or 360.
"And your still wrong, everybody in the world has the right to food water and shelter."
You only have those rights if your government acknowledges that those rights exist. Just because something is beaten into your head that everybody has the "right for this" and "right for that", doesn't mean others have to follow this logic. I don't blame you for saying such things, but try saying 'you have to give me shelter and food' in many other countries and see if they don't laugh at you and let you starve in the elements.
No, they do not have the right to food, water, or shelter. Rights cannot be taken away by circumstances. They may only be purposefully stepped on by organized government. Food can be taken by crop failures, water has to be shared, and shelters get destroyed. But free speech does not go away because God threw a hissy fit.
"I want"s are not "I have a right to"s.
Yet they claim lost profits due to sales of pirated copies to people who can't afford their legal games at retail prices.(Not necessarily in this case, but they tend to do this).
They obviously want that to be a market, then they need to actually price things realistically for that market.
This isn't about a "right" to play games. This is about a stupid business practices more than anything else.
These people are making copies of items they dont own the right to, and selling them.
How the hell did this turn into a discussion of wether or not it should be okay to buy them.
I didn't say it was "right" to buy them. I didn't say the raid was wrong. I applaud the raid.
However I think the raid is pointless.
Because more pirates will fill that void.
You can basically say the same thing about things such as drugs, endangered animals, stolen artifacts, etc...
Have to do something or you're basically saying that it's ok to do it.
Except in those cases something of value was lost.
In these cases, the only thing stolen was 10011101.
1s and 0s that were out of the price range of the bulk of the populace so they would not have been bought anyway.
Normally I find many of these international raids to be silly, since they often target poor areas where there'd be no chance of a game being sold legitimately anyway (thus not effecting the market). But Guadalajara isn't some poor, rundown hole in the wall. It's a major city, and there's no excuse for piracy in this instance.
Kudos, ESA! Keep up the good work of stamping out what is nothing less than thievery.
Guadalaho--
Guadallllaja--
Guadalalalaja--
France!
I'm surprised they're not in Montreal. Afterall, Canada is the #1 bootleg capital of the world right? Wait, we're not?
*shakes fist in air*
GUADALAJARAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
-- If your wiimote goes snicker-snack, check your wrist-strap...
Yeah it's nice to hear that while the drug cartels are basically taking over the country SOMEONE is doing something to help out.
The worst part is that you are right. For now, droug cartels members are killing them each other, and mexican authorities have no clue about what to do. I hope they don´t start to create anti-games laws to distract public from real problems like the cartels.
The cynical side of videogames (spanish only): http://thelostlevel.blogspot.com/ My DeviantArt Page (aka DeviantCensorship): http://www.darkknightstrikes.deviantart.com/
They need to do the same to Panthip Plaza in Bangkok, Thailand. Might seize more than what they got in Mexico actually, and not just games too...
That's what I was thinking; the place is six stories of illegal copies of every software you can think of.
An interesting wrinkle to this: A good percentage of game/movie discs are pressed in Mexico. I wonder how that factors into this? Employees taking game discs/manuals/boxes from work and selling them? Just a thought.
~~All Knowledge is Worth Having~~
And yet companies continue to outsource jobs to these same countries that then turn around and steal the product that the outsourced jobs created...
IT'S OVER 90,000!!!
Don't they realise that by getting all this pirated software they're only hurting the industry? Tsk tsk tsk for shame ESA!
Althou I am not a supporter of software piracy I believe that the ESA is simply bullying the small potatoes. Markets like those are literaly harmless and all they do is try to bring some food to the table. If the ESA wants to REALLY fight piracy why they don't sttack places like Thailand and China where piracy is pretty much a criminal organization?
THATS ALOUT OF COPIES
Shobidoo, the hardcore gamer
This is the kind of shit the copyright police should be worry about and focusing their attention on for all the media industries. Infringement for profit is real piracy.
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"The most difficult pain a man can suffer is to have knowledge of much and power over little" - Herodotus
Somehow, I have more sympathy for the bootleggers than I do for the authorities and legit game vendors.
An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.
What they don't tell you... is they originally went down there to buy cheap HGH and an ass-load of weed....
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety" - Benjamin Franklin