From: "cloyd laporte iii" <cloyd.laporte.iii@execnet.com>
Newsgroups: comp.org.eff.talk
Subject: nintendo mass mailing
Date: 13 Nov 92 17:53:50 EST
Reply-To: "cloyd laporte iii" <cloyd.laporte.iii@execnet.com>
Distribution: comp
Organization: Executive Networks Information

I thought you all might be interested in a recent "News Release"
sent out by Nintendo to a mailing list of _ALL_ PCBoard BBS software
owners* (obtained direct from CDC, but apparently without CDC's
understanding of its intended use):
                                   Nintendo(R)
                       NEWS RELEASE

                                   Contact:
                                        Lynn Hvalsoe\Nintendo of
                                        America Inc.
                                        (206) 861-2096

                                        James Bikoff/Arter & Hadden
                                        (202) 775-7100

NINTENDO JOINS IN SEISURE AGAINST ILLEGAL BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE

        REDMOND, WA -- As part of a continuing and aggressive effort
to halt counterfeiting of video games and business software,
Nintendo of America Inc. and six major software manufacturers filed
an action against distributors of a computer "bulletin board"
network [sic] system giving software access to users.

        Illegal software was seized by authorities from APL, an
electronic bulletin board computer system (BBS) headquartered in
Baltimore, MD.

        "Counterfeiting and illegal use fo video games and business
software has grown immensely over the past few years. We have and
will continue to prosecute those who've become part of the
undergorund counterfeiting network," said Lynn Hvalsoe, Nintendo's
General Counsel.

        The legal action outlines that illegal software was accessed
through operators who provide personal computer users a code to
enter the system via telephone and modem.  Illegal bulletin boards
also have been found in Europe and Asia.

        This case represents the first time video game and business
software companies have joined together to fight software pirating.
The business software companies, represented in this case through
the Business Software Association (BSA), include Aldus, Autodesk,
Lotus Development, Microsoft, Novel and WordPerfect.  All companies,
including Nintendo, are individual plaintiffs in the legal action.

        The action is part of Nintendo's large anti-counterfeiting
campaign, much of which is aimed at illegal video games being
manufactured, sold and shipped from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other
countries.

        "Counterfeiting is a very serious crime and Nintendo is
working hard to let violators know they will be pursued and charges
brought against them," added Hvalsoe.  Hvalsoe pointed to success
this year in the signing of Federal legislation (S893) which
elevates copyright infringement, *such as that engaged in by
bulletin board operators,* [emphasis supplied] to a felony with
penalties of up to $250,000/and up to five years in prison.

        Nintendo of America Inc. is based in Redmond, Washington and
is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nintendo Co. Ltd., Japan, the
world's largest manufacturer and marketer of video games.
---
  DeLuxe 1.26b #23bt  In Cyberspace, the 1st Amendment is a local rule.
--
Executive Network Information System  (914) 667-4567
International ILink Host
Newsgroups: comp.org.eff.talk,alt.comp.acad-freedom.talk