Retro emulation gadgets, resembling an alternate universe version of the Game Boy Advance, have surged in popularity. They are inexpensive, portable, and capable of running nearly any console game from before 2000, and sometimes even later games.
However, the companies producing these devices often take a questionable approach regarding the use of ROMs, leading to serious legal complications. One notable case involves Salicini, who is currently under investigation by police.
His home and computers have been searched due to allegations of copyright infringement related to pre-loaded game ROM files on these gadgets. The situation is serious, as the presence of pirated ROMs can provide evidence against Salicini.
If convicted, he could face fines up to 15,000 euros and a prison sentence of up to three years. Furthermore, his social media accounts could be shut down, potentially without any formal charges.
The legal implications of how the ROMs were acquired—for instance, whether Salicini downloaded them himself or if they were pre-loaded onto the devices—could play a pivotal role in the investigation. Many manufacturers openly advertise these retro gadgets as coming pre-loaded with popular titles such as Dark Souls, The Last of Us, and Final Fantasy VII.
This raises significant legal concerns, as it seems unlikely that these companies have obtained the rights to distribute such well-known games for free. In particular, a product listed on StackSocial explicitly claims to include these games, pointing towards possible illegal distribution practices.
The broader question is whether consumers who knowingly purchase these gadgets fall under the same legal scrutiny as the manufacturers. If someone were to review or promote these devices, as indicated by Italian authorities, would that also count as evidence of complicity in copyright violations?
While it’s improbable that everyday users will be targeted by law enforcement, the risks remain high for content creators caught in the middle.