Operation Coin-Up 80 by the Turin Guardia di Finanza led to the confiscation of 12,000 counterfeit consoles and approximately 47 million illegal video games, for a total value of over 47.5 million euros. These devices, produced in China and without the CE mark, were intended for a poorly regulated market and at low prices in various Italian cities.
Guardia di Finanza seizes pirated retro game consoles
The consoles seized by the Guardia di Finanza were a mix of designs and features that recalled iconic models such as the Nintendo Game Boy, the NES and various Atari and Sega consoles. Despite their nostalgic appearance, these devices featured substandard hardware, featuring low-resolution displays and poor-quality joysticks, and were designed to have a very limited lifespan. These devices were often sold for just a few euros in markets and street stalls.but the operation also highlighted the importance of paying attention to well-known e-commerce sites, where these illegal versions can also be found alongside the authentic products.
The Guardia di Finanza did not limit itself to confiscating the material, but also reported nine people of Italian nationality involved in this illicit trafficking. The crimes contested range from the introduction and trade of counterfeit products to fraud in the exercise of trade, including infringement of copyright. These developments are a serious blow to the console market, which finds itself competing not only with legitimate products but also with a counterfeit industry that threatens the copyrights and quality of electronic toys offered to consumers.
The retro console market
The retro gaming console market in 2024 is still growing, especially thanks to legitimate proposals from original manufacturers and official licensees. These products are often mini versions of historic consoles and feature a curated selection of iconic titles. Companies like Nintendo continue to capitalize on this nostalgia, offering the ability to play old video games on modern platforms, such as the Switch service Online. Operation Coin-Up 80 not only protects the rights of authors and producers, but also helps ensure a safer and quality market for fans of all ages.
#Counterfeit #Consoles #Seizures #Italy
