YouTuber Once Were Nerd Raided Amid Italian Crackdown on Emulation Handhelds and Game ROMs

In the continuing battle against video game piracy, Italian authorities have launched a serious investigation targeting the intersection of YouTube game content and emulation hardware.

Francesco Salicini, better known by his YouTube channel "Once Were Nerd," recently became the focus of this crackdown when his residence was raided by the Italian Guardia di Finanza—Italy’s customs enforcement agency—amid suspicions involving the promotion of pirated materials. Salicini's channel, renowned for its in-depth coverage of retro gaming and reviews of emulation handhelds from manufacturers such as Anbernic, PowKiddy, and TrimUI, is well known among retro gaming enthusiasts.

As extensively covered by Android Authority, the raid on April 15, 2025, resulted in authorities seizing more than 30 consoles, alongside Salicini’s smartphone, which was returned to him one month later.

During the search, officers cited concerns over the alleged "reproduction of copyrighted materials," a charge referencing both Sony and Nintendo. According to information confirmed by Android Authority and discussions on platforms such as RetroAchievements, Salicini had previously shared a blog post containing links to copyrighted ROMs and BIOS files in a January video, though he stopped short of distributing the files himself.

Additionally, forum users reported that Salicini resold used emulation handhelds through Telegram, some of which included MicroSD cards pre-loaded with games.

Salicini maintained that he did not directly profit from the sales. The investigation stems from Italian copyright law, notably Article 171 ter, which imposes severe penalties for the reproduction and distribution of protected materials—including fines up to €15,000 (approximately $17,000) and possible imprisonment for up to three years.

Salicini stated that officials informed him his reviews of emulation devices could be subject to these penalties.

Under Italian law, the specifics of the charges remain confidential until the investigation concludes. This case comes on the heels of broader industry trends.

Device makers like Anbernic and PowKiddy have often shipped units—many imported into Europe and available via the Nintendo eShop or third-party sites—with MicroSD cards full of ROMs, frequently violating Nintendo copyright.

Such actions have pushed major companies, especially Nintendo, to enforce stricter content guidelines, even pressuring video reviewers not to showcase Nintendo titles on these devices. Authorities in Italy have previously taken decisive action against pirated hardware: last year, the Guardia di Finanza seized counterfeit retro gaming consoles valued at nearly €50 million ($55.5 million).

The current case sets a precedent for how international copyright law will contend with the expanding gray market of emulation hardware. Though Salicini has not been charged by name, and both Nintendo and Sony have not been officially confirmed as plaintiffs, the impact of this investigation is resonating throughout the retro gaming and emulation communities.

With legal outcomes pending, Salicini communicated through his own channels that he will provide comprehensive updates after the investigation concludes, declining further comment due to the ongoing nature of the legal process. As the Nintendo Switch and retro handheld market continue to grow, creators, manufacturers, and platform holders alike are wrestling with the boundaries of copyright enforcement, user-generated content, and the enduring appeal of classic games.

The outcome of this high-profile case may well shape how retro gaming and emulation exist within the boundaries of European law for years to come.

Nintendo ROM Francesco Salicini Once Were Nerd Italian Guardia di Finanza Anbernic PowKiddy TrimUI Android Authority RetroAchievements Sony