On Tuesday five Japanese firms were sued for selling equipment that allows illegal game programs to work on Nintendo's popular DS portable video game player, Reuters reported.

The lawsuit was filed at the Tokyo District Court. Fifty-four other Japanese software makers are taking part in this action as well.
Nintendo DS was released on January 20, 2004.

It was said to provide its users with a new and unique entertainment experience. Since it was released a lot of hacking has occurred involving the DS's fully rewritable firmware, Wi-Fi connection, game cards that allow SD storage, and software use.

Beginning in July 25, 2007 Nintendo increased its DS software sales projection from 130 million units to 140 million. Both the DS and Wii are both already recognized as great success stories.

In March the company Famitsu/Enterbrain which tracks the gaming sales in Japan, said that the Nintendo DS has sold 22,169,761 units.
On January 24, 2008, Nintendo Europe revealed the DS had sold over 20 million units in Europe. As of June 2008, the Nintendo DS has sold over 20 million units in the U.S.