Key Takeaways
1. Nintendo has ramped up legal actions against piracy and copyright violations, including a lawsuit against streamer Jesse Keighin for streaming unreleased games using a Switch emulator.
2. The lawsuit against Keighin alleges copyright infringement on ten titles, with a focus on Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, which he leaked before its release.
3. Nintendo has reduced its claims during the lawsuit, settling on a $10,000 fine for the Paper Mario leak and total damages of $17,500.
4. Keighin’s noncompliance with court hearings has led Nintendo to seek a default judgment against him, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
5. The outcome of this case serves as a potential warning to other streamers about the risks of leaking and streaming unreleased games.
Recently, Nintendo has intensified its legal actions against piracy and violations of copyright. Following a subpoena aimed at uncovering the identity of the Pokémon Teraleaker, another case has emerged. Back in November, Nintendo initiated a lawsuit seeking damages from a streamer who was streaming unreleased games. This streamer, known as Jesse Keighin or EveryGameGuru, utilized a Switch emulator to play several titles. Due to his absence from court hearings, Nintendo is now pursuing a default judgment against Keighin.
Legal Actions Against the Streamer
The initial complaint against Keighin was lodged in a federal court in Colorado. Nintendo accused him of infringing on the copyrights of ten different titles. Occasionally, ROMs for unreleased games compatible with Switch emulators like Yuzu pop up. Over the past two years, Keighin presented these games to his audience without any permission from Nintendo. Additionally, he encouraged his followers to download both emulators and ROMs.
Shifting Demands from Nintendo
As the lawsuit has progressed, Nintendo has reduced its claims. Keighin streamed games like The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom and Super Mario Party Jamboree. Nevertheless, Nintendo is particularly concentrating on Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. The streamer leaked this RPG title just before its planned release in May 2024. Some instances of piracy were notably harmful and disrupted Nintendo’s marketing strategies. The company has settled on a $10,000 fine for the copyright infringement related to Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, alongside total damages amounting to $17,500.
Potential Consequences for Keighin
With multiple violations, Keighin could have faced potential fines reaching up to $1.5 million. It’s curious that Nintendo would show some leniency, especially given the streamer’s noncompliance with the lawsuit. Not only has he failed to appear in court, but he has also mocked Nintendo while remaining elusive.
Nintendo might just be tired of playing this ongoing game of cat-and-mouse. Although the $17,500 penalty is not as high as the one imposed on Gary Bowser, it could still serve as a warning to other streamers regarding similar leaks.
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