Nintendo of America stated in a press release today that piracy in Latin America has resulted in a $975 million loss worldwide. Nintendo stated the reasoning behind the outbreak of piracy was due to the “extremely high tariffs and taxes in Brazil on the sale of authentic videogames and Nintendo software” and “and “the widespread corruption in Paraguay and increasing violence in Mexico against authorities attempting to combat piracy.”

China, however, remains the largest distributor of pirated Wii and DS software and it is reported that close to 7.7 million counterfeit games have been seized from Chinese factories and retailers. Paraguay and Hong Kong were also singled out by Nintendo as major distribution points for illegal products.

Nintendo has submitted a request for assistance to the U.S. Trade Representative and joined the ESA, Entertainment Software Association, in seeking the U.S. Government’s help in combating what some see as an exponentially increasing problem.