Warez-hosting ROMsite RomUniverse finds itself back in the headlines, after a change to the ruling of a court case that wrapped up earlier this year. In 2019, Nintendo and its legal time brought up a lawsuit against the owner of RomUniverse, Mathew Storman. When faced with charges, Storman decided to defend himself in court, without a laywer, claiming innocence for the uploading of ROMs to his website, only for lawyers to prove he did indeed upload illegal content, as well as knowingly allowed others to upload such files. This May, a judge ruled that Storman owed Nintendo $2.1 million dollars for damages, though while Nintendo sought a permanent injunction against Storman, the judge denied this, as there was no proof that RomUniverse had caused "irreparable harm". .

Now, however, that has changed. In the past month, Storman has made claims that he might possibly want to bring his ROM website back online, although with the caveat that it would lack all Nintendo-related titles. Following this, it was submitted to the court, where the judge reversed his decision and hit Storman and RomUniverse with a permanent injunction, under the belief that with the possible revival of the copyright-infringing site, Nintendo could be at harm of further damage.

Storman has been ordered to destroy all illegal copies of Nintendo games, movies, books, music, and other illegally obtained files featuring Nintendo's IPs. The defendant has until August 17th to delete the offending content and comply.

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[Xzi]

Not sure what else he expected...maybe he thought he could pull a fast one on this particular judge? I will admit the wording is a bit confusing though:

Now, however, that has changed. In the past month, Storman has made claims that he might possibly want to bring his ROM website back online, although with the caveat that it would lack all Nintendo-related titles. Following this, it was submitted to the court, where the judge reversed his decision and hit Storman and RomUniverse with a permanent injunction, under the belief that with the possible revival of the copyright-infringing site, Nintendo could be at harm of further damage.

How could Nintendo be at risk of further damages if he brings the website back online without any Nintendo content? If he deletes all his Nintendo content from his local machines, then is he allowed to bring the site back online?

 

[Taffy]

That is... not great.

 

[Plazorn]

Again, why doesn’t Nintendo take on bigger sites? Oh right, they download roms from there
themselves

 

[Noctosphere]

Again, why doesn’t Nintendo take on bigger sites? Oh right, they download roms from there
themselves

well, if you can no longer download there, why don'T go on... hum... said bigger sites???

 

[Jacklack3]

Again, why doesn’t Nintendo take on bigger sites? Oh right, they download roms from there
themselves

reminds me of this: (go to 14:34)

 

[x65943]

I don't know whether to be disappointed or impressed that he had the gall to try to revive his site after being sued for over $2 million in damages

 

[Noctosphere]

I don't know whether to be disappointed or impressed that he had the gall to try to revive his site after being sued for over $2 million in damages

how about... disgusted by his stupidity?

 

[Sheimi]

Now, however, that has changed. In the past month, Storman has made claims that he might possibly want to bring his ROM website back online, although with the caveat that it would lack all Nintendo-related titles. Following this, it was submitted to the court, where the judge reversed his decision and hit Storman and RomUniverse with a permanent injunction, under the belief that with the possible revival of the copyright-infringing site, Nintendo could be at harm of further damage.

Not sure how Nintendo would be at further risk to damages if no Nintendo content.

 

[chrisrlink]

well back to the old rent and dump scheme for $15/mo i could get a personal collection in no time

 

[Noctosphere]

Not sure how Nintendo would be at further risk to damages if no Nintendo content.

I'd say maybe not them but maybe other companies...
However, it's been already proven that piracy has no impact on sales

 

[Chary]

How could Nintendo be at risk of further damages if he brings the website back online without any Nintendo content? If he deletes all his Nintendo content from his local machines, then is he allowed to bring the site back online?

The way I see it is, even if he doesn't upload any Nintendo content off the bat...he's ridiculous enough to bring back a romsite after being smacked with 2 mil in charges. That doesn't sound like someone who learned their lesson. He could so easily upload Nintendo content later on, behind private forums, etc.

 

[JaNDeRPeiCH]

Nintendo can protect their copyright online anytime .Its their right,but the user have their own legal original cartridges can make all the backups they want. Nintendo can stop it this train of backups. The funny thing why nintendo its protecting warez sony&microsoft roms in romuniverse? in fact removing all the content from romuniverse its helping the other competitors.

 

[Noctosphere]

Nintendo can protect their copyright online,but the users with their own legal original cartridges can make all the backups they want. Nintendo can stop it this train of backups. The funny thing why nintendo its protecting warez sony&microsoft roms in romuniverse? in fact removing all the content from romuniverse its helping the other competitors.

actually, making backup of your own cartridge is still not allowed
I don't remember though if it's through legal terms or term of use

 

[CoolMe]

The owner got all the attention he wanted, requiring users to "pay" for roms he himself pirated? it was the site to find publicly and on Google. This proves he gained money from selling properties of Nintendo and the others, specially the Switch games.. The judge wouldn't let that slide, as he's stupid enough to do it again.

 

[JaNDeRPeiCH]

actually, making backup of your own cartridge is still not allowed
I don't remember though if it's through legal terms or term of use

In México its allowed to make your own backups,Other nations like USA or some parts of Europe for me its a unknown knowledge. So maybe you are right i dont know in which nation you live and the legal part of it.

 

[gnmmarechal]

actually, making backup of your own cartridge is still not allowed
I don't remember though if it's through legal terms or term of use

At least where I'm from, making your own personal copy is perfectly legal.

 

[banjo2]

"RomUniverse" is criminal enough to be shunned by society forever

 

[Noctosphere]

At least where I'm from, making your own personal copy is perfectly legal.

In México its allowed to make your own backups,Other nations like USA or some parts of Europe for me its a unknown knowledge. So maybe you are right i dont know in which nation you live and the legal part of it.

mmmh... yea, its probably just against terms of use

 

[JaNDeRPeiCH]

mmmh... yea, its probably just against terms of use

The terms of use its trash here in México. We have a legal way to backup our software and nintendo cant demand it . It doesnt matter it the instructtion booklet say you cant do circunvent bla bla. We have here a Constitution and Laws ,and the law says you can do your own legal backup,sharing etc , The only you cant do its sell the backup,if you do it you go to the jail.