Nintendo wins lawsuit against streamer who pirated Switch games

For years, Nintendo has been known for its staunch defense of intellectual property. But this time, the Japanese company was at the center of a case that captured the attention of the gaming world. Jesse Keighin , better known as Every Game Guru on social media, was sued for streaming pirated Nintendo Switch games before their release. And although he initially scoffed at the warnings, his story ended with a court ruling against him.

It all started when Keighin streamed exclusive Nintendo titles before their official release, including Mario & Luigi: Brotherly Connection . The company repeatedly sent him cease and desist orders , both via email and physical mail to his family members. However, Keighin chose to ignore them.

On social media, he even boasted: “I could do this all day” and “Maybe they control a corporation, but I control the streets.” This defiant attitude led Nintendo to file a formal lawsuit in April 2025 , accusing him of copyright infringement and circumventing anti-piracy systems .

The jury ultimately issued a default judgment , ordering Keighin to pay $17,500 in damages.

The trial was swift. Nintendo proved that Keighin had streamed at least 10 leaked games on more than 50 occasions . With no response from the defendant and no valid legal defense, the verdict was automatic.

The amount is broken down into $10,000 for the early transmission of Mario & Luigi: Brotherly Connection and an additional $7,500 ($500 for each violation of anti-piracy systems).

Although Nintendo has won millions in other piracy cases, this time it opted for a more symbolic sum: a public warning to the gaming community about the consequences of challenging intellectual property laws.

Despite the victory, not all of Nintendo's requests were granted. The company asked for the destruction of all devices used to circumvent the protection systems and for sanctions to be applied to any potential collaborators of the streamer.

However, the judge deemed those requests “unclear and unreasonable,” partially rejecting them. Even so, the precedent was set: broadcasting leaked games before their release is illegal and can be costly.

Nintendo, creator of iconic franchises like Super Mario , Zelda , and Pokémon , has always maintained a zero-tolerance policy against piracy . Its victory against Every Game Guru reinforces its reputation as one of the strictest companies in defending its works.

Meanwhile, Keighin disappeared from social media after the verdict. Her story serves as a warning to content creators who try to "get ahead" of releases by making illegal copies.

As a Nintendo spokesperson said:

“Our goal is not to punish, but to protect those who enjoy games legitimately.”

Beyond the money, the trial reflects a debate still relevant in the digital age: where does a creator's freedom end and where does the law begin? This time, the message was clear: Nintendo doesn't play games when it comes to its rights .