R4 cards, which allow Nintendo DS owners to run their own code, homebrew applications and, in some cases, illegal copies of games, have been outlawed in the UK.
MCVUK carries word that a London High Court issued the ruling in a case against Playables Limited, decreeing that the R4 cards are now illegal to import, advertise or sell. Defendant Wai Dat Chan had attempted to argue that the cards should be legal since they allow users to run homebrew applications, but the court ruled that “the R4 must first must circumvent Nintendo’s security systems before it can work, therefore making it illegal.”
Nintendo, which apparently was the plaintiff in the case, issued a statement saying “Nintendo initiates these actions not only on its own behalf, but also on behalf of over 1,400 video game development companies that depend on legitimate sales of games for their survival.”
Nintendo has been actively pursuing distributors, resellers and importers of the R4 devices around the world, including the Netherlands, the UK and the U.S.



Comments
Re: R4 Cards Now Illegal in UK
Well, the R4 is a piece of crap anyways, no self-respecting homebrewer (or pirate, for that matter) uses it, only the ignorant people use it, so eliminating the source of 'casual' piracy can only be good, really.
Re: R4 Cards Now Illegal in UK
Er, you DO realize that the ruling doesn't apply exclusively to the R4, right?
Re: R4 Cards Now Illegal in UK
So then it was because it had a legal use it was legal regardless and today because it has a illegal use its illegal regardless....ya..... I smell lobby money and government corruption.....
I have a dream, break the chains of copy right oppression! http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/2010/05/21/cigital-disobedience/
Copyright infringement is nothing more than civil disobedience to a bad set of laws. Let's renegotiate them.
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http://zippydsm.deviantart.com/
Re: R4 Cards Now Illegal in UK
Yeah, Napster that thing.
Though people are likely to find a way to get them anyway.