--- title: "US Trade Representative Asked to Add Chinese Hardware Maker Anbernic to Notorious Markets List" url: https://noti.group/us-trade-representative-asked-to-add-chinese-hardware-maker-anbernic/ language: en publisher: "Noti Group" section: "Technology" published: 2026-10-13T21:55:49.000Z updated: 2026-10-14T01:43:00.645Z id: dc100d0b-e931-4d3e-8548-344e314f0826 source: "Ars Technica https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2026/10/esa-targets-anbernic-emulation-handhelds-as-superfake-piracy-enablers/" attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/us-trade-representative-asked-to-add-chinese-hardware-maker-anbernic/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story." --- # US Trade Representative Asked to Add Chinese Hardware Maker Anbernic to Notorious Markets List The Entertainment Software Association has petitioned the US Trade Representative to add Chinese hardware manufacturer Anbernic to its list of "Notorious Markets" for allegedly facilitating substantial copyright piracy. A major game industry trade group has petitioned the US Trade Representative (USTR) to add Chinese hardware manufacturer Anbernic to its list of "Notorious Markets for allegedly facilitating substantial copyright piracy. The Entertainment Software Association (ESA), which represents top publishers like Nintendo and Microsoft, submitted the request last week. The ESA claims that Anbernic devices are often sold with preloaded SD cards containing hundreds or thousands of unauthorized copies of copyrighted video games published by its member companies. This practice is not unique to Anbernic, as many online sellers include an SD card full of ROMs alongside emulation hardware. However, the ESA argues that Anbernic's direct sales through its website do not involve preloaded ROMs, which makes the company's inclusion on the Notorious Markets list even more significant. The ESA's petition also refers to these devices as superfakes, a term it uses to describe high-quality counterfeit trademark goods sold on a commercial scale. The trade group claims that Anbernic's products help normalize hardware-based piracy by making illicit game collections available through polished consumer products. While the USTR has not yet taken action, the ESA's request is just the latest development in an ongoing battle against software piracy and counterfeiting. The inclusion of Anbernic emulation handhelds on the USTR's Notorious Market List would not directly impose any new legal penalties on the company. However, being listed is meant to encourage law enforcement agencies to increase their efforts in combating piracy and counterfeiting. The ESA's referral of Anbernic to the USTR underscores a shift in how emulators and emulation-focused hardware are marketed in the US. In the past, distributors often claimed to sell only legitimate emulators while disclaiming any knowledge of copyrighted ROMs that could land them in trouble. This distinction has become increasingly blurred as third-party sellers on various online platforms openly advertise devices preloaded with thousands of games from previous eras. These sellers cater to customers who may not be familiar with file-sharing websites or pirated game distribution channels. The proliferation of these illicit ROM-enabled devices has made it easier for end-users to access copyrighted content without making any effort to obtain it through legitimate means. This has raised concerns about the impact on the video game industry and intellectual property rights. Some online sellers have even incorporated piracy into their business model, touting preloaded devices as a convenient way to play classic games without needing to know how to find or download them separately. As a result, the lines between legitimate emulators and pirate-enabled hardware have become increasingly difficult to distinguish. The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has taken aim at Anbernic's emulation handhelds, labeling them as superfake" piracy enablers. However, this move raises questions about why the focus is on the hardware manufacturer rather than the online retailers that facilitate the sale of pirated games. Major e-commerce platforms have been criticized for allowing the sale and distribution of illicit ROMs, which can be easily downloaded onto Anbernic's handheld devices. By targeting Anbernic specifically, the ESA may be inadvertently diverting attention away from the real culprits in this piracy ecosystem, namely the online retailers that enable the widespread availability of pirated games to consumers. --- Source: [Ars Technica](https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2026/10/esa-targets-anbernic-emulation-handhelds-as-superfake-piracy-enablers/) Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/us-trade-representative-asked-to-add-chinese-hardware-maker-anbernic/