Nintendo Sues streamer $7.5m for streaming pirated games
Nintendo has taken legal action against Jesse Keighin, known online as “EveryGameGuru,” for allegedly streaming pirated Nintendo games on platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Kick. The titles in question include The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
In a lawsuit filed in Colorado District Court on November 6, Nintendo claims that Keighin ignored previous DMCA takedown notices and cease-and-desist orders, continuing to stream these games while also advising viewers on how to run Nintendo titles on non-Nintendo hardware. The lawsuit alleges that he created new channels on various platforms whenever one was shut down, even taunting Nintendo by stating, “You can try to stop me, but I’ll keep going.”
On October 24, 2024, after some of his streams were removed due to Nintendo’s enforcement actions, Keighin reportedly sent a letter to the company boasting about having “a thousand burner channels” and claiming he could continue streaming indefinitely.
The lawsuit highlights that Keighin streamed Mario & Luigi: Brothership prior to its official release on November 7, among other unauthorized broadcasts. Nintendo asserts that his actions not only infringe copyright but also foster a “culture of infringement” that negatively impacts sales and hardware exclusivity.
Nintendo is seeking damages of $150,000 for each alleged violation, with claims totaling at least $7.5 million for approximately fifty infractions over the past two years. The company emphasizes that streaming unreleased games encourages piracy and undermines the anticipation of legitimate customers awaiting new releases.
