> And the one thing Nintendo does not want is a legal case, because they know they are most likely going to lose it and then it's likely not just dolphin which would take advantage of the additional legal clarity created by the case.
Bollocks. Nintendo has a reputation for suing the hell out of anyone, often repeatedly, even if they would likely lose. They're rabid about protecting their IP, to the point where they're infamous for it.
Family friendly front-end, but ruthless corporation behind it. They'd absolutely get lawyers and charge in aggressively.
Valve has nothing to gain by putting their money at risk for someone else's emulator; "no dog in this fight".
But in this case if they lose in court they will lose far more then "just" dolphin being on steam.
And with how it's currently they for sure guaranteed won't see dolphin or similar on steam, a sure fire way which might even be cheaper then suing.
Also AFIK in most cases where they sue they either have a good chance of winning or losing will just lose that case and not set a precedence which can cost them dearly.
> But in this case if they lose in court they will lose far more then "just" dolphin being on steam.
The only thing they'd really lose is the money they already spent on lawyers, and they're more than happy to accept that loss. Nintendo will sue in futile situations just to make the other party miserable.
No they set legal precedence that Nintendo device emulators are legally okay (as long as they don't do anything additional etc.). And publicity, too.
If you considers how many people in this chat alone just blindly assumed it's illegal, and that's given a "more tech affine audience of HN, then that is a huge deal.
Bollocks. Nintendo has a reputation for suing the hell out of anyone, often repeatedly, even if they would likely lose. They're rabid about protecting their IP, to the point where they're infamous for it.
Family friendly front-end, but ruthless corporation behind it. They'd absolutely get lawyers and charge in aggressively.
Valve has nothing to gain by putting their money at risk for someone else's emulator; "no dog in this fight".