| Goal | Implementation | |------|----------------| | Prevent direct execution on PCs | Emulators cannot read code without decryption keys | | Block flashcart compatibility | Older flashcards (Gateway, R4) require decrypted ROMs | | Stop piracy of digital titles | CIA files encrypted per console – can’t be shared directly | | Enforce region locking | Decryption requires region-specific key seeds | | Online title key checks | Post-2015 games require real-time seed download (no offline decryption) |
| Action | Legality (US/EU/JP) | |--------|---------------------| | Decrypting a ROM you personally dumped from your own cartridge | Generally legal for backup/archival (DMCA anti-circumvention may apply – gray area) | | Downloading an encrypted ROM from the internet | Copyright infringement | | Sharing decryption keys ( boot9.bin , movable.sed ) | Violates DMCA Section 1201 (circumvention) | | Distributing decrypted ROMs | Clear piracy | | Emulating decrypted ROMs | Illegal if you don’t own the original game in most jurisdictions | 3ds roms encrypted