Playmore has officially released on their website the following press release regarding their raid of DAX Technology, LLC:

SNK NEOGEO USA CORP. AND PLAYMORE CORPORATION OBTAIN A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION ORDER AGAINST DAX TECHNOLOGY, LLC, FOR ALLEGEDLY SELLING COUNTERFEIT VIDEO GAMES

On May 16, 2003, Plaintiffs, SNK NEOGEO USA CORP. and PLAYMORE CORPORATION, were successful in obtaining a preliminary injunction order from the Federal District Court that enjoined DAX TECHNOLOGY, LLC, a corporation located near San Francisco, California, from among other things, selling allegedly counterfeit video game cartridges. DAX TECHNOLOGY, LLC stipulated to the preliminary injunction. Pursuant to the Court Order against DAX TECHNOLOGY, LLC[PDF 731KB] , they are restrained from selling counterfeit products that infringe Plaintiffs' intellectual property rights, including such famous video games as "METAL SLUG 4," "THE KING OF FIGHTERS 2002," "Matrimelee," "Magical Drop" and "RAGE OF THE DRAGONS".

Plaintiffs had previously raided the business based on a Temporary Restraining Order issued on April 15, 2003. At that time, Plaintiffs seized numerous products, including cartridge labels, PCBs and video game cartridges, most of which have been inspected and positively identified as counterfeit products.

Plaintiffs, SNK NEOGEO USA CORP. and PLAYMORE CORPORATION, are pleased by the results of the raid and are gratified by the Court Order granting the preliminary injunction. Natu Patel of Wang & Patel, PC attorneys for Plaintiffs, believes that the Court Order sends out a strong message to counterfeiters, in general, and their supporters, that violations of copyright laws will and must be stopped.

PLAYMORE CORPORATION and SNK NEOGEO USA CORP. are among the world leaders and pioneers in the video game industry. The video games that Plaintiffs design and develop represent exciting technological advances in microelectronics, software, entertainment and art that continually push the video game experience to new heights. PLAYMORE CORPORATION and SNK NEOGEO USA CORP. have taken a stand against the illegal piracy of video games and intend to protect their intellectual property rights at all costs.

Bootlegging has been a big issue, not only with Playmore in the past 15 years, but pretty much the whole arcade industry. Initially, production of parallel carts/boards originated in China and Taiwan and now has surfaced to shops in the U.S. Market.

The significance of DAX Technologies LLC is that they've been the supplier to multiple sellers on Ebay and many well known distributors in the U.S. Some people involved in heavy selling of video game boards, especially with the MVS market would be familiar with DAX's reputation. So in a nutshell, the parallel KING will be facing some tough laws here.

For those Ebayers, notice the common sellers who used to advertise the "super low" prices on KOF 2002, Matrimelee, Metal Slug 4, etc. Those prices and sellers will soon dwindle away and if they think they're not being watched, they are. A very "popular and well liked" seller on Ebay, who was located in New York no longer sells there. I wonder why?

This issue by no means is taken lightly and if any other bootleggers are still out there, beware, because you will eventually be caught. For the amount of money made on bootlegs, it certainly isn't worth the time spent behind the slammer or possible fines set against you.

Thumbs up to Playmore for going after counterfeiters, which overall, keeps the arcade business where it should be at, legitimate sales.