Nintendo Cracks Down $17,500 for Pirating Legendary Mario

Nintendo has won a $17,500 judgment against steamer Jesse “EveryGameGru” Keighin for pirating and streaming unreleased games. The case highlights Nintendo’s aggressive anti-piracy stance and the risks streamers face when flaunting copyright law.

Nintendo Wins $17,500 Judgment Against Streamer in Piracy Case.

Nintendo has once demonstrated its uncompromising stance on piracy, this time targeting streamer Jesse “EveryGameGuru” Keighin. A federal court in Colorado issued a default judgment against Keighin, ordering him to pay $17,500 after he streamed pirated Nintendo titles, including the unreleased Mario & Luigi: Brothership. 

The case unfolded after Keighin not only broadcast pirated games but also openly mocked Nintendo’s legal team on social media. According to court filings, he destroyed evidence, evaded service attempts, and taunted the company’s lawyers. His actions left the court little choice but to rule in favor when he refused to respond to the lawsuit.

While Nintendo could have pursued damages of $100,000, the company limited its claim to the recent infringement. This decision suggests a strategic move: rather than seeking the maximum penalty, Nintendo focused on securing a clear legal victory that reinforces its zero-tolerance approach to piracy.

The court, however, did not grant all requests. Judges denied the company’s bid to destroy Keighin’s circumvention devices and rejected its attempt to issue injunctions against unnamed third parties. These denials highlight the limits of legal remedies in piracy cases, even when the defendant is uncooperative.

A Pattern in Anti-Piracy Strategy