The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), a nonprofit group whose mission is to protect the digital rights of computer users and the public in regards to “free speech, privacy, innovation, and consumer rights today,” has published its list of the top ten patents it wishes could be eliminated. EFF attorney Jason Schultz stated, "These patent owners have been threatening people that just can’t defend themselves. They’re trying to claim ownership over some fundamental part of software of the Internet that people use every day, and they’re threatening small companies or individuals that can’t afford lawyers."
Included among the list of notoriety was none other than Nintendo,s patent for video game emulation, which came in the eighth spot. According to the EFF list, “The entertainment powerhouse has patented the technology for emulating its old games. A bunch of small game companies are writing these emulators, and they’re really no threat to Nintendo. But Nintendo is being a big bully.”
Emulation programs for old SNES games have long been produced for the PC, PSP, and other game platforms. Outdated game consoles, from many manufacturers, have been traditionally programmed for emulation, although the legality of such software has been challenged. EFF,s contention that these patents should be invalidated keeps with their philosophy that “EFF fights for freedom primarily in the courts, bringing and defending lawsuits even when that means taking on the US government or large corporations. By mobilizing more than 50,000 concerned citizens through our Action Center, EFF beats back bad legislation.”
