ESA Pushes for Anbernic to Be Listed as a 'Superfake' in Annual Piracy Report
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has recommended that the United States Trade Representative (USTR) classify retro handheld manufacturer Anbernic as a 'superfake' in the annual 'Notorious Markets' list. This designation targets companies selling high-quality counterfeit goods or products that facilitate piracy. The ESA argues that Anbernic’s practice of selling consoles with pre-loaded microSD cards containing pirated ROMs constitutes a significant threat to the gaming industry. If the USTR accepts this recommendation, Anbernic could face restrictions on selling its devices in the United States, potentially impacting distribution through major retailers like Amazon and eBay. This is the first year the ESA has specifically emphasized the 'superfake' category in its submissions, marking a shift in how rightsholders address hardware that enables piracy.
