are beatmania machines illegal in the U.S.?

Kσn · 01-14-2007, 12:55 AM

I found this on a website just today...

...pointing out that Konami's Japanese arcade games are illegal in the United States. However, as with the Konami v. Andamiro lawsuit which took place years ago, Konami believe they have a strong case and are prepared to stand by it...

this was a DDR lawsuit against Andmiro, and that what i found in the article.

When I get the money i am opening an arcade, and it was supposed to have all the bemani series, one notably Beatmania. So does this ruin my plans?

also if this is true, then what about tokyo game action? They have all their games imported.

***red shoe paul*** · 01-14-2007, 01:04 AM

DDR and i'm sure the rest of Bemani is illegal just as well. Since it says the songs are licensed in Japan and Japan only..

Eight · 01-14-2007, 01:31 AM

TGA has special arrangements, doesn't it?

theCHIEF · 01-14-2007, 01:38 AM

but why is it illegal in the sense that having/owning a machine here?

and how does TGA differ and A/I?

i suppose it has to do with distrubution and such, or perhaps its even more deep in the law department

kimcicle · 01-14-2007, 02:04 AM

I believe that what it comes down to is that different groups can hold the copyright of the same thing for separate regions. Konami probably only owns the rights to any possible licensed title or song they used within the boundaries listed in the license agreement.

Arcades like Arcade Infinity and Tokyo Game Action have to go through distributors in order to get their machines / kits. One semi-(in)famous group would be somebody like channel-beat.

So technically, yes. There are supposed to be no beatmania IIDX machines in the United States.

As an aside, you better have a lot of capital if you want to start an arcade.

dog$ · 01-14-2007, 02:34 PM

It's illegal in the same sense that US people owning Japanese games is illegal.

It is against the law but it's not like the FBI will hunt you down or some shit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omega

When I get the money i am opening an arcade

Somehow I doubt it.

I'm more meaning that if you did have enough money to open arcade, you'd realize that actually opening an arcade might not be the wisest thing to do with your assets.

Kσn · 01-14-2007, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dog$

It's illegal in the same sense that US people owning Japanese games is illegal.

It is against the law but it's not like the FBI will hunt you down or some shit.Somehow I doubt it.

I'm more meaning that if you did have enough money to open arcade, you'd realize that actually opening an arcade might not be the wisest thing to do with your assets.

ya well, I really have been looking forward to opening an arcade, and all my money is only go towards gas, and the arcade, and after a few years, i will have enough money to open the arcade I dream of, and hopefully it will get business.

also since I own japanese games, what could I be charged of from owning these games... if they ever find them.

*Loserbait* · 01-14-2007, 03:48 PM

Who said it was illegal to own Japanese games? Sauce me or I will definitely not believe you (because it's completely legal).

With regard to the arcade machines, yes it is technically illegal but it just doesn't get enforced enough -- you won't Japanese feds catching up to you and the local police, ha!~

nuu silver · 01-14-2007, 03:57 PM

on the machine i play on it says for use/ to only be sold in japan.
it might just be misleading

D3m0n533d · 01-14-2007, 05:38 PM

Having been witness to one person "start" an arcade here, it takes a lot of money. Expect to throw down close to 100k if you want a real arcade with a decent number of machines. Especially if you're looking to get IIDX machines because they are some of the most expensive bemani games available.

I won't get too specific, but the failure of this arcade was more because of a spoiled rich kid, who was also a moron with no business sense, not having any business, and not taking care of the business properly (and making about over nine thousaaaaaand bad decisions, but anyway). Essentially, the games themselves are ridiculously expensive, the overhead is really high, the employees you'll have to hire will have to be paid...it's really really expensive. Honestly, if this kid hadn't been rich, it wouldn't have happened. If he had been smart, it would still be around and there'd be a IIDX machine in Tennessee, but i'm not bitter or wanting to injure him in horribly creative and violent ways or anything.

And, honestly, i'm not trying to shoot down your idea. I've wanted to open up an arcade here ever since that idiot failed, but...no monies. I also don't feel like going to far into debt, beyond student loans. I wish you the best of luck, though. If you do get the money to do it, location location location and seeing what people in your area want to play (STEADILY) are your friends.

Valex · 01-14-2007, 06:14 PM

And please don't expect to get a reliable income off entirely Bemani games. Just warning you.

dj Z00M · 01-14-2007, 06:28 PM

Just do it. LOL Have Nike sponser you as Bemani sports. J/K

Aside from a lot of the negative remarks about opening an arcade. I encourage your idea, but location is a big deal. Try renting a spot for a little bit, then maybe if it does well, stick "around the area." It really couldn't be to bad.

Legal issues are legal issues, but like some people stated, its not the FBI that I would worry about, the main thing would be copyright issues, make sure your kits are legit. Who the fuck wants a bootleg hacked version. Be honest don't cheat. I think that's how a good business runs anyway. Karma, karma, karma. <--- that's all I have to say so buy your upgrades properly. LOL

Whateva, this is my opinion. Negative comments just PM me don't cloud it up here. Thanks :P

ukinozomu · 01-14-2007, 07:22 PM

I think that definitely legal matters really aren't something to be worried about. There are many, many arcades in my state (I live in Australia), all of which have at least three or four (or more!) Konami games which proudly read "FOR USE IN JAPAN ONLY." Even the major arcade at the capital city here has two DDREX machines, DDR MAX2, beatmania 10th (I think), initial D (which I believe has the same export restrictions), and probably more if you explored. Good luck with your arcade, if it ever takes off, and I shouldn't really worry about the police at your door.

WEABOO · 01-14-2007, 07:26 PM

Being someone who has and still is considering opening an arcade, I totally encourage you to do it. But as someone said prior to this, pick a location, and look for the right crowd.

For example, me opening an arcade down in South FL is a lost cause because Nexus is going to open soon with Pop'n and IIDX out the ass. it would be stupid to compete against them (not to mention Im friends with the owner), so that would just be wrong of me.

Whoever said to dish out 100k, thats a bit of an overkill...its totally possible for an arcade to start out small and expand in time.

As for bemani machines being illegal in the States.....

Fuck it

They've been here for over a decade and I've yet to hear anyone get sued...

Kσn · 01-14-2007, 07:58 PM

thanks for the support guys.

Location is my biggest issue, and even though its a long term project, and is still a while away. I should still think of places to place the arcade.

also there is NO WAY I would dish out 100k just to start an arcade. This is going to start out small, then work its way up. Not only that, I am also probably going to get some hlep from other companies to get imported games that are already in the U.S. Which i can already say namco is going to help me, they are selling a beatmania club mix for like only $700 in the U.S.

we are really getting off topic here, but I really like talking about opening an arcade. if theres a moderator out there, and wants to lock this, could you move it, and just rename the topic or something, or do i have to start a whole new topic?