GoKawiilESA asks USTR to add Anbernic to Notorious Markets piracy list
The Entertainment Software Association has petitioned the US Trade Representative to designate Chinese handheld maker Anbernic as a 'Notorious Market' for copyright piracy and trademark counterfeiting. The ESA's filing says Anbernic devices are routinely sold with removable memory cards preloaded with thousands of unauthorized game ROMs, though Anbernic's own website does not appear to ship devices this way. TorrentFreak first reported the submission, which was filed last week.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The ESA represents major publishers like Nintendo, Microsoft, Sony, Epic and EA, so the move signals heightened industry pressure on hardware makers that enable retro emulation, not just on individual pirates. Inclusion on the list carries no direct legal penalty, but the USTR says it raises public awareness and can push governments and retailers toward stricter IP enforcement, which could complicate Anbernic's access to US retail channels. The case also highlights ambiguity in how 'superfake' and piracy facilitation are defined when third-party sellers, not the manufacturer, add the infringing content.
- ESA petitioned USTR to add Anbernic to its 'Notorious Markets' list over alleged piracy facilitation.
- The complaint targets devices sold via third-party retailers with ROMs preloaded, not Anbernic's direct sales.
- Listing carries no direct legal consequence but could increase enforcement pressure and public scrutiny.
Source: arstechnica.com, 2026-10-13
Published there as: “ESA targets Anbernic emulation handhelds as "superfake" piracy enablers”
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