Mexican Law Enforcement Raids Guadalajara’s San Juan de Dios Market

ESA Commends Action to Protect Legal Computer and Video Games

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Entertainment Software Association today commended Mexico’s Procuraduría General de la República and Agencia Federal de Investigación for recently seizing 20 tons of materials including video games and video game accessories from San Juan de Dios Market in Guadalajara. Upon raiding booths suspected of containing pirated entertainment software, over 40 Mexican law enforcement officials uncovered approximately 91,200 illegal copies of video games; 130,000 video game cover inserts; and 3,200 empty video game boxes. Mexican law enforcement officials operated in conjunction with local ESA representatives to conduct this raid.

“Piracy in markets such as San Juan de Dios hurts businesses engaging in the legitimate distribution and retailing of computer and video games,” said Michael D. Gallagher, CEO of the ESA, which is the U.S. association representing computer and video game publishers. “We commend Mexican law enforcement officials for their actions in this raid and are committed to fully supporting authorities around the world who conduct these kinds of enforcement actions.”

San Juan de Dios Market, one of the largest markets in Guadalajara, is notorious for an extensive assortment of illicit goods, including a significant amount of pirated video games for the various gaming platforms. The ESA, which conducted investigations in the area during the months preceding the raid, hopes this recent action will result in a decrease of the rampant sale of pirated goods in Guadalajara. Community access to these illegal products makes it difficult for legitimate game retailers to earn a profit and hurts consumers who receive substandard versions of original computer and video games.

The ESA is the U.S. association dedicated to serving the business and public affairs needs of the companies publishing interactive games for video game consoles, handheld devices, personal computers, and the Internet. The ESA offers services to interactive entertainment software publishers including a global anti-piracy program, owning the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), business and consumer research, federal and state government relations, and First Amendment and intellectual property protection efforts. For more information about the ESA, please visit www.theESA.com.