Nintendo(R) N E W S R E L E A S E FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Lynn Hvalsoe\Nintendo of America Inc. (206) 861-2096 James Bikoff\Arter & Hadden (202) 775-7100 NINTENDO JOINS IN SEIZURE AGAINST ILLEGAL BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE REDMOND, WA -- As part of a continuing and aggressive effort to halt counterfeiting of video games and business software, Nintends of America Inc. and six major software manufactures filed an action against distributors of computer "bulletin board" network system giving software access to users. Illegal software was seized by authorities from APL, an electronic bulletin board computer system (BBS) headquartered in Baltimore, MD. "Counterfeiting and illegal use of video games and business software has grown immensely over the past few years. We have and will continue to prosecute those who've become part of the underground counterfeiting network," said Lynn Hvalsoe, Nintendo's General Counsel. The legal action outlines that illegal software was accessed through opperators who provide personal computers a code to enter the system via telephone and modem. Illegal bulletin boards have become a popular trend, with an estimated 5,000 systems in the United States. Illegal bulletin boards also have been found in Europe and Asia. This case represents the first time video game and business software companies have joind together to fight software pirating. The business software companies, represented in this case through the Business Software Associatiom (BSA), includes Aldus, Autodesk, Lotus Development, Microsoft. Novel and WordPerfect. All companies, including Nintendo, are individual plaintiffs in the legal action. The action is part of Nintendo's large anti-counterfeiting campain, much of which is aimed at illegal video games being manufactured, sold and shipped from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other countries. "Counterfeiting is a very serious crime and Nintendo is working hard to let violaters know they will be pursued and charges will be brought against them," added Hvalsoe. Hvalsoe pointed to success this year in the signing of Federal legislation (S893) which elevates copyright infringement, such as that engaged in by bulletin board operators, to a felony with penalties upto $250,00/and up to five years in prison. Nintendo of America Inc. is bassed in Redmond, Washington and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nintendo Co. Ltd., the worlds largest manufacturer and marketer of video games. ######## Nintendo of America Inc. 4820 150th Avenue N.E. Redmond, WA 98052-5111 Telephone (206) 882-2040 * Telex 152933 * Telecopier (206) 882-3585