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Nintendo copyright crackdown nearly de-platforms creator, reigniting fair use debates

Recent claims by the video game publisher that target ‘modded’ games hint at an aggressive strategy that could have immediate implications for creators.

 

Lon Harris

Internet Culture

Posted on May 4, 2023   Updated on Jul 26, 2023, 5:33 pm CDT

Passionfruit

This story was originally published on Passionfruit.

Good vibes abound right now for Nintendo. The Super Mario Bros film adaptation is the biggest hit of the year so far, raking in over $1 billion at the global box office. Fans are flocking to the newly-opened Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood for its first summer season in operation. The latest Legend of Zelda adaptation, Tears of the Kingdom, lands on May 12, and early leaks and sneak previews have ratched up anticipation to a fevered pitch.

But behind the scenes, some of the company’s less high-profile moves have led to some concerns among creators, particularly those who stream themselves playing and enjoying Nintendo’s hottest consoles and games.


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*First Published: May 4, 2023, 3:16 pm CDT