Nintendo, Sega and EA are "not best pleased"

Internet giants Yahoo! have incurred the wrath of some of the biggest names in the videogame industry following suspect content on their site. Nintendo of America, Electronic Arts and Sega of America have filed a joint lawsuit against Yahoo! for the sale of illegal and counterfeit videogame products. The suit seeks an injunction to halt the auction and sale of pirate games, as well as illegal devices designed to circumvent copyright protection.

It is alleged that Yahoo! directly profit from the sale of illegal goods on their site, are fully aware of this activity and have the resources and technological means to prevent it.

"We have advised Yahoo! many times that easily identifiable counterfeit, unpublished and illegal goods are being sold on their site, and we have asked them to implement effective controls to prevent the posting of illegal goods," says Richard Flamm, General Counsel for Nintendo of America. "Yet while they have the responsibility and capability, they have refused to do this. Regrettably, therefore, we feel that legal action is now our only remaining recourse."