ESA Urged Notorious Market Status for Piracy Entities
The trade group recommended that U.S. officials blacklist several digital platforms linked to widespread copyright infringement.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in eSports
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The Entertainment Software Association has requested that the U.S. Trade Representative designate voices38, FitGirl, and Anbernic as notorious piracy markets. The organization claims these entities facilitate illegal distribution, leading to over $1 billion in estimated revenue losses.
Why it matters
Designating these sites as notorious markets aims to help authorities identify operators and disrupt distribution channels for unauthorized game content. The ESA argues that these actions are necessary to protect intellectual property within the digital gaming sector.
The ESA reported over $1 billion in losses due to games repacked by FitGirl, which saw 41.77 million visits in August 2026. The cracker voices38 has been linked to approximately two dozen games that bypassed Denuvo Anti-Tamper protections.
The players
Entertainment Software Association
This is a trade association that represents the interests of the video game industry in the United States.
voices38
This is a digital cracker known for specializing in bypassing Denuvo Anti-Tamper software.
FitGirl
This is a prominent site known for hosting and distributing repacked versions of video games.
Anbernic
This is a hardware manufacturer that produces handheld emulation devices often preloaded with unauthorized games.
Denuvo
This is a software company that provides anti-tamper and anti-cheat technology for the video game industry.
The details
The ESA tracks operators by identifying crypto transactions sent to KYC-vetted platforms and counting users detected in peer-to-peer swarms. While DODI-Repacks removed 22% of links over the past year, RuTracker complied with only 3% of the industry organization's takedown notices.
Timeline
March 2026: The previous edition of the Notorious Markets list was published.
March 2026 to August 2026: The period for which the ESA calculated $1.08 billion in losses.
August 2025 to August 2026: The timeframe for takedown notices issued to FitGirl.
August 2026: FitGirl received 41.77 million site visits.
October 2026: The ESA submitted its new recommendations to the USTR.
Season Trajectory
The industry's push to update the U.S. government's trade list marks a strategic shift in how rights holders combat widespread digital piracy. This action follows a pattern set by the USTR's Notorious Markets list, which serves as a critical mechanism for international enforcement.
The potential designation of these sites could lead to more aggressive blocking by internet service providers in the United States. Additionally, Denuvo's active litigation against voices38 in California federal court may set a new legal precedent for how developers handle digital bypasses.
The takeaway
The ESA's request highlights the ongoing tension between digital developers and distribution platforms that facilitate game piracy. Readers should be aware that unauthorized content distribution can result in significant financial impacts for developers and potential legal action against site operators.
What happens next
The USTR will publish the final version of the Notorious Markets list following the conclusion of its current review cycle.
Further reading
For more on industry enforcement, visit the eSports section.
Live Poll
Should the government prioritize targeting creators of software cracking tools to stop digital piracy?
