What does this mean? "This device may not cause harmful interference"?

Question

This is found on the back of the Nintendo DS Lite Console, "(1)This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

What does this mean, and what is it there for?

Answer 1

It means that if the Nintendo causes interference to any FCC licensed or government authorized service the Nintendo has no standing and must shut down or be repaired to protect the operation of the FCC licensed service.  For instance if your Nintendo interfers with your neighbor's volunteer fire department radio you have the responsibility to shut down your Nintendo or take steps to prevent it from causing the interference.  His radio has priority over your Nintendo.  He has no obligation to do anything.  The burden is on you.

Similarily if his FCC licensed volunteer fire department radio blows away your Nintendo when he talks on it he has no responsibility to do anything about it.  It is totally your burden.  

Lots of consumer electronics products have this statement on them.  Check your VCR and DVR and DVD player.  They will all have this statement on them.

Answer 2

It is a FCC regulation that electronic devices cant cause harmful radio frequency interference.