The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has officially designated Anbernic as a major counterfeiter. The organization has formally requested that the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) include the handheld console manufacturer on its list of notorious markets.
The ESA claims that Anbernic includes memory cards with its devices that contain unauthorized copies of games. These titles allegedly infringe upon the intellectual property rights of ESA member companies, including Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft, Bandai Namco, Capcom, Sega, and Konami.
The USTR maintains a list of notorious markets that previously included torrent sites and platforms for trading cracked game software. If the USTR accepts the ESA's recommendation, Anbernic could face significant restrictions, including a potential ban on selling its hardware products within the United States.
As of now, the USTR has not yet acted upon the proposal from the ESA. The future of Anbernic's operations in the American market remains uncertain while the authorities evaluate the request and the potential implications for the company's business model.
