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Japanese used-game law circumvented

  • By Dan Tochen, GameSpot
  • Posted Apr 12, 2006 4:33 pm PT

Retailers are finding ways around restrictions on console-resale law--just days after it was implemented.

While a law restricting the sale of used electronics meeting certain criteria went into effect in Japan earlier this month, gamers and retailers are already finding ways around it.

As of April 1, Japan's Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Law made it illegal for a business to sell any console that plugs directly into a power outlet but does not carry a "PSE" stamp certifying that it meets current safety standards. The law will also apply to consoles that use AC adaptors but don't carry the stamp, although there is a grace period during which those products can be bought and sold until April 1, 2008. Although the law theoretically allows recertification of old equipment, it's unlikely that manufacturers will be willing to refurbish their old consoles' power supplies up to contemporary standards.

Japanese online news site ITmedia Inc. has posted a report examining the wording and impact of the law, as well as loopholes and work-arounds that will likely preserve the country's used-console market in some form for the foreseeable future.

While machines without AC adaptors are likely a lost cause, peripheral maker Hori has released a solution for some old-console devotees. The company has produced a PSE-certified AC adaptor that is compatible with a number of old consoles, including the Famicom, Super Famicom, Megadrive I, and PC Engine. For 1,500 yen ($12.65), fans of these consoles can replace their unstamped AC adaptors and rest assured that their vintage hardware meets all the latest safety standards.

ITmedia also found some loopholes in the law. Apparently it does not cover two key areas: individual sales and console rentals. So personal auctions and similar transactions for old consoles are still legal. Moreover, even though sales are banned, the law does not restrict businesses from renting non-PSE-certified consoles.

39 Comments

  • greensandal

    Posted Apr 14, 2006 11:15 am GMT

    Japanese politicians do not know what to do, so they make a ridiculous law... this law does not only affect game console but also music instruments.. ugh.. Those politicians should focus on other critical issues rather than games... but it is good that people figured out ways to circumvent it.

  • marioman50

    Posted Apr 14, 2006 8:00 am GMT

    what will happen to superPotato?!

  • the_junk

    Posted Apr 14, 2006 7:13 am GMT

    why do politicians waste their time with drawing up meaningless laws?

  • buzzoinks

    Posted Apr 13, 2006 9:12 pm GMT

    people should be able to sell their used stuff, whatever it is...
    a game, a tv, a book, a couch...

  • acesion

    Posted Apr 13, 2006 7:40 pm GMT

    Thank god i live in the U.S. of A.

  • rokkuman09

    Posted Apr 13, 2006 5:53 pm GMT

    ehehhe lol man i wanna go to japan

  • vaejas

    Posted Apr 13, 2006 2:09 pm GMT

    Entire shops full of vintage hardware in Akihabara can breathe easy.

  • jaefrmbk2k

    Posted Apr 13, 2006 11:36 am GMT

    [This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]

  • pyth0n13

    Posted Apr 13, 2006 9:59 am GMT

    where there's a law, there's a loophole

  • Briantb_2008

    Posted Apr 13, 2006 9:49 am GMT

    They have some messed up laws in Japan when it comes to games and game systems.

  • Quezakolt

    Posted Apr 13, 2006 9:19 am GMT

    I don't understand the "safer" thing... did a lot of accident happpens? This is just a law sponsored by the industry big names... and it'll be killing history if somehow it hits in full force..

  • frankeyser

    Posted Apr 13, 2006 9:13 am GMT

    what a weird law... to me... but i can see how such a law could protect consumers and buisnesses alike.

  • Hellisunreal

    Posted Apr 13, 2006 7:48 am GMT

    HAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!1

  • BYS2

    Posted Apr 13, 2006 7:30 am GMT

    well its a good law i suppose, to make stuff safer

  • mr_squibble

    Posted Apr 13, 2006 6:49 am GMT

    [This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

  • mr_squibble

    Posted Apr 13, 2006 6:49 am GMT

    Interesting read. If a law like this came to the USA, it probably wouldn't affect me that much. Although I purchase software used and will continue to do so, I prefer to purchase my hardware new, unless it's a vinage system that cannot be found new. In that case, I'd just buy that certified third-party AC adaptor for $13. No biggie.

  • bioniccommando1

    Posted Apr 13, 2006 5:14 am GMT

    Ummm....What exactly was the point in all this? Did someone's Super Famicon burn up or something?

  • greywolf250

    Posted Apr 13, 2006 2:55 am GMT

    ...and the fact that it is only for game consoles is also strange...
    I seem to be proving myself wrong here...

  • greywolf250

    Posted Apr 13, 2006 2:52 am GMT

    that law really isn't all that strange. All of the electrical equipment I used at high school and that I currently use at uni have to be inspected 'cause if someone gets electrocuted, the school/uni will get sued for a lot of money. That said, it is a bit strange that the Japanese government is putting in this law, they aren't in risk of being sued for that. Maybe it is just for safety...

  • dr_taffin

    Posted Apr 13, 2006 12:12 am GMT

    "Developers aren't coming up with new stuff b/c retailers are reselling their games and systems at half-price. "

    I thought they were doing that because sequels and retreads sell better than hard to understand new genres. I guess it's Blockbuster's fault for selling used movies that Hollywood is full of sequels and it's Second Spin selling used CDs that make record labels support bands that sound like existing successful bands.

    I like to buy games new whenever possible to support developers, but when short run games go out of print and can't be found anywhere, I have to buy them used. Is that a used retailer's fault in ANY way?

    The only interesting thing botu this article is yet another bizarre Japanese law. Not as funny as the useless construction done at the end of every fiscal period because the money doesn't carry over to the next budget, so they tear up a perfect street and needlessly rebuild it so as not to waste the money.

  • LiK

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 9:21 pm GMT

    hori rules

  • Orasion_Seiz

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 8:29 pm GMT

    japan sure love their video games

  • gameloverx

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 8:23 pm GMT

    well its good because most people think that trading your games is a waste of yen

  • drollia

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 7:58 pm GMT

    Sounds like big corporations have destoried the used console market in Japan

  • swanlord

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 6:57 pm GMT

    goes to show that Ps3 will have copy protection in it = no rented games

  • breakz08

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 6:55 pm GMT

    This law is pretty important. You know that used game and console sales are what's giving us sequel after sequel, right?

    This is good for the gaming community in the long run. Developers aren't coming up with new stuff b/c retailers are reselling their games and systems at half-price.

  • bountydog

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 6:53 pm GMT

    thats what goverments do all day make stupit laws for people to find ways around or just plain ignore

  • Kayrod29

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 6:45 pm GMT

    I don't live in Japan so it wouldn't apply to me anyway.

  • Sequentialorder

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 6:14 pm GMT

    Ahh man I wonder how this is going to effect Akibarha.

  • thisissami

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 5:50 pm GMT

    lol... gaming sure is big in japan, to have a law devoted entirely to safety of people whilst using old and respected videogame consoles!

  • xXAdventChildXx

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 5:34 pm GMT

    Thats Crazy

  • monsteronthego

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 5:12 pm GMT

    and thats why there ahead of us they never have old electronics

  • yboucher

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 5:00 pm GMT

    Wow, what a ridiculous law. Just artificially driving demand for new goods is all this really does.

  • NeoJedi

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 4:57 pm GMT

    Hehehe well only in Japan I guess...

  • linkdarkside

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 4:57 pm GMT

    yhey need to make rentals inlegal because develoments lose money

  • Kaos-Angel

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 4:56 pm GMT

    Sweet, I

  • MHKnights

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 4:54 pm GMT

    It is good to know people are able to defeat a clearly BS law.

  • microwaveman

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 4:53 pm GMT

    thats crazy

  • gamecockbarista

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 4:43 pm GMT

    wow...just wow

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