Nintendo has taken the controversial step to submit a YouTube copyright claim on "Let's Play" gaming videos, causing at least one popular video creator to launch a boycott of Nintendo games.
While Nintendo has chosen not to block videos that it says features it copyrighted content, the same videos will now features ads before the start of the video, with all the revenue going to Nintendo.
This move then allows Nintendo to regulate "Let's Play" videos, with the option to remove videos they do not agree with, and at the same time, denying revenue to "Let's Play" video creators.
The move has made at least one creator choose to boycott Nintendo. Zack Scott of the ZackScottGames channel posted on Facebook: "I love Nintendo, so I've included their games in my line-up. But until their claims are straightened out, I won't be playing their games. I won't because it jeopardizes my channel's copyright standing and the livelihood of all LPers." The ZackScottGames has over 3,000 videos, and nearly 200,000 subscribers.
Nintendo played down the issue. In a statement made to Game Front, Nintendo stated their right to these videos, and their continuing support for the "Let's Play" phenomenon.
"As part of our on-going push to ensure Nintendo content is shared across social media channels in an appropriate and safe way, we became a YouTube partner and as such in February 2013 we registered our copyright content in the YouTube database. For most fan videos this will not result in any changes, however, for those videos featuring Nintendo-owned content, such as images or audio of a certain length, adverts will now appear at the beginning, next to or at the end of the clips. We continually want our fans to enjoy sharing Nintendo content on YouTube, and that is why, unlike other entertainment companies, we have chosen not to block people using our intellectual property," the statement read.
Nintendo's most recent console, the Wii U, has suffered in early sales leading some commentators to question the direction of the company.
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