Nintendo has removed another high-profile fan project after issuing a copyright enforcement action: the popular PokeNational Geographic series of animated shorts has been taken down from YouTube following a copyright strike from Nintendo of America.
The series, created by animator and filmmaker Elios, reimagined Pokémon as wildlife subjects in short documentary-style videos and attracted significant attention on the platform.
Elios confirmed the channel takedown in an update posted to a separate YouTube account after losing access to the original PokeNational Geographic channel.
In his update, Elios said he received well in excess of the three strikes that trigger YouTube channel removal, and was therefore unable to remove the implicated videos to preserve the channel.
In journalistic terms, Elios reported that YouTube enforcement reached a point where the platform automatically terminated the original channel after multiple copyright notifications.
According to Elios, the copyright notices cited use of 'works, characters, and imagery' owned by Nintendo as the basis for the strikes.
He added that, aside from the Pokémon vocalizations or 'cries', the visual assets and animations in the series were his original creations.
Elios argued that those original elements could be interpreted under fair use in the United States, but acknowledged that as an independent creator he does not have the legal resources to contest Nintendo of America’s action in court and has opted to end the series.
The Pokémon franchise has historically been a cornerstone property for Nintendo, appearing across Nintendo hardware from the original Game Boy entries through Nintendo DS and 3DS systems and onto the Nintendo Switch.
Nintendo and its associated rights holders have a longstanding record of enforcing intellectual property on digital platforms, including YouTube and other streaming or distribution services.
The PokeNational Geographic takedown underscores the legal risks fan creators face when working with high-profile entertainment IP, particularly when elements of the source property are used.
For fans and creators who follow Pokémon content on YouTube and other platforms, the incident is a reminder to review platform policies and rights-holder guidelines when producing derivative works.
Verified facts: the PokeNational Geographic series was removed after a copyright strike from Nintendo of America; creator Elios posted an update from a separate channel reporting multiple strikes; Elios stated most visual assets were original, with the Pokémon cries being the primary unoriginal element cited in the strikes.
No court filings or legal resolutions have been reported at this time.
The series, created by animator and filmmaker Elios, reimagined Pokémon as wildlife subjects in short documentary-style videos and attracted significant attention on the platform.
Elios confirmed the channel takedown in an update posted to a separate YouTube account after losing access to the original PokeNational Geographic channel.
In his update, Elios said he received well in excess of the three strikes that trigger YouTube channel removal, and was therefore unable to remove the implicated videos to preserve the channel.
In journalistic terms, Elios reported that YouTube enforcement reached a point where the platform automatically terminated the original channel after multiple copyright notifications.
According to Elios, the copyright notices cited use of 'works, characters, and imagery' owned by Nintendo as the basis for the strikes.
He added that, aside from the Pokémon vocalizations or 'cries', the visual assets and animations in the series were his original creations.
Elios argued that those original elements could be interpreted under fair use in the United States, but acknowledged that as an independent creator he does not have the legal resources to contest Nintendo of America’s action in court and has opted to end the series.
The Pokémon franchise has historically been a cornerstone property for Nintendo, appearing across Nintendo hardware from the original Game Boy entries through Nintendo DS and 3DS systems and onto the Nintendo Switch.
Nintendo and its associated rights holders have a longstanding record of enforcing intellectual property on digital platforms, including YouTube and other streaming or distribution services.
The PokeNational Geographic takedown underscores the legal risks fan creators face when working with high-profile entertainment IP, particularly when elements of the source property are used.
For fans and creators who follow Pokémon content on YouTube and other platforms, the incident is a reminder to review platform policies and rights-holder guidelines when producing derivative works.
Verified facts: the PokeNational Geographic series was removed after a copyright strike from Nintendo of America; creator Elios posted an update from a separate channel reporting multiple strikes; Elios stated most visual assets were original, with the Pokémon cries being the primary unoriginal element cited in the strikes.
No court filings or legal resolutions have been reported at this time.