Nintendo Wins $17,500 Legal Judgment Against Streamer for Pirated Game Releases

Nintendo has successfully obtained a $17,500 judgment against Jesse Keighin, known online as 'EveryGameGuru,' in a pivotal case related to unauthorized streaming of unreleased Nintendo Switch games.

As the gaming industry continues to face challenges around intellectual property protection and piracy, this recent legal outcome underscores Nintendo's ongoing commitment to safeguarding its titles and maintaining a fair market environment for developers and consumers alike. Jesse Keighin, a content creator recognized for his online persona 'EveryGameGuru,' drew significant attention by streaming pirated copies of Nintendo games on his social media channels prior to their official release on Nintendo Switch.

Keighin reportedly used his platform to challenge Nintendo's legal position publicly.

In a statement shared via Facebook at the time, Keighin expressed defiance toward Nintendo's legal team, allegedly stating that those pursuing the case "may run a corporation, but I run the streets," and contended that they should have conducted more thorough research before targeting him. According to court documents, Keighin took deliberate actions to impede Nintendo's investigation.

He was found to have destroyed potential evidence relevant to the proceedings and actively evaded the company’s efforts to serve him legal notice.

Despite these actions, the U.S.

court awarded Nintendo $17,500 in damages, representing a significant step for Nintendo in asserting its intellectual property rights amid ongoing industry concerns over early leaks and piracy of popular game titles. However, the court did not fully side with Nintendo on all requests.

The company’s motion to require Keighin to destroy all circumvention devices was denied on the grounds that the definition was too broad and unclear.

The judge ruled this aspect of Nintendo's demands as "unreasonable," acknowledging that such devices broadly encompass software applications available publicly across the internet, which presents practical and legal complexities. Nintendo's battle against piracy is well known in the gaming world.

The company has a notable history of pursuing legal action against ROM-sharing sites, modding tools, and individuals who infringe upon its game and hardware copyrights.

The Nintendo Switch and its digital storefront, the eShop, remain particular focal points for piracy prevention efforts as the hardware maintains a dominant presence in the global console market. With over 125 million units sold worldwide as of early 2024, the Nintendo Switch's continued popularity brings both lucrative opportunities and heightened risks for unauthorized leaks and copyright violations.

Nintendo's victory in this particular lawsuit reinforces the publisher’s stance that piracy and premature content distribution via streaming platforms remain unacceptable and actionable offenses.

By holding high-profile streamers like EveryGameGuru accountable, Nintendo aims not only to protect its own titles but also to send a clear message to the wider game development and content creation communities. For further information about Nintendo's intellectual property practices and developer guidelines, readers can consult official company statements and review documentation available on Nintendo's corporate and legal portals.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch games Jesse Keighin EveryGameGuru