Nintendo has scored a definitive victory in a legal battle against a notorious game streamer who pirated and livestreamed their games before the official release dates. This case has brought attention to the ongoing war between game developers and piracy.
A Defiant Streamer Faces the Music
The streamer, known as Jesse “EveryGameGuru” Keighin, boldly claimed to have “a thousand burner channels” to evade legal consequences, defiantly stating on social media, “You might run a corporation, but I run the streets.” However, the court has now ordered him to pay $17,500 in damages.
Last November, it was revealed that Nintendo had initiated legal action against Keighin for broadcasting pirated Nintendo titles such as The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom ahead of their release. The lawsuit filed in Colorado accused him of streaming ten Nintendo games prematurely and providing viewers with instructions on how to access them. This list includes The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Super Mario Party Jamboree, and Mario & Luigi: Brothership.
Reports suggest that Keighin had streamed these leaked games at least 50 times since 2022, offering links to the Yuzu and Ryujinx emulators. Nintendo contended that such actions were tantamount to “trafficking” in illegal “circumvention devices,” causing substantial financial losses through diminished game sales.
Legal Outcomes and Future Implications
According to sources, the court declined to issue an injunction against unidentified “third parties” or order the destruction of Keighin’s devices, citing the demands as “unclear” and “unreasonable” without specific identification. However, an injunction was granted, restraining Keighin from infringing on Nintendo’s copyrights, including streaming and trafficking in emulators or other technology bypassing Nintendo’s protective measures. Keighin’s lack of defense or objections has resulted in the judgment being finalized.
Nintendo’s Ongoing Battle Against Piracy
Earlier reports indicated Nintendo is also pursuing legal action against a Reddit moderator known as James “Archbox” Williams, demanding $4.5 million in a case related to pirated Nintendo Switch games. This action underscores Nintendo’s persistent efforts to tackle what they describe as “DMCA anti-trafficking violations.” Nintendo allegedly identified Williams using a combination of Reddit activity and repair orders.