Nintendo is not doing itself any favors in the gaming world these days. On top of the fact that it confused its fan base with the launch of the Wii U, making it sound like an upgrade instead of a new system, it's now started going after Let's Play producers on Youtube, claiming that since they are using footage from Nintendo games, they aren't allowed to profit from the content.
A lot of Let's Play Youtube artists have been complaining that their advertising revenue on the videos has ceased, despite the fact that ads are still playing. The reason for this, is that Nintendo is filing claims with Youtube, that's resulting in all advertising money coming from Let's Play videos featuring Nintendo games, to go to Nintendo, not the video makers themselves.
Taking to Facebook to complain, one Let's Play maker, Zack Scott, said that: "I think filing claims against LPers is backwards. Video games aren’t like movies or TV. Each play-through is a unique audiovisual experience," he said (via Gamefront). "When I see a film that someone else is also watching, I don’t need to see it again. When I see a game that someone else is playing, I want to play that game for myself!
He later explains in the post, that the reason people watch his videos is either to learn how to play the game, or to hear his commentary about the game. It's not to watch him play the game. Nobody watches games instead of playing them without something else to it.
Nintendo however, doesn't agree, responding in a public statement: "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."
Nintendo seems increasingly out of touch with not only its fan base, but the way gaming is moving in the modern world. Its console is outpowered by the big boys and outpriced by the smaller ones and now it's targeting the very people that are providing it with legitimately free advertising with thievery. Doesn't it realize the next-gen is all about sharing video of yourself gaming?
I'm pretty sure these people are legally allowed to do this too, because of fair use law.
Nintendo, stomping on their fans since 2013.