As a preface to the following information, last year, Nintendo of America reportedly attempted to take advantage of the increasingly popular world of “Let’s Play” videos by inserting advertisements and commercials into user-made videos containing Nintendo brand images or audio “of a certain length.”
You can see Nintendo’s official statement on the matter below:
“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.”
Furthermore, in addition to the above program, this past May Nintendo created a new affiliate program that shared ad revenue with prominent YouTubers who post popular videos containing company’s copyrighted content.
Nintendo stated the following in regards to the new YouTube affiliate program:
“Nintendo has been permitting the use of Nintendo copyrighted material in videos on YouTube under appropriate circumstances.
Advertisements may accompany those videos, and in keeping with previous policy that revenue is shared between YouTube and Nintendo.
In addition, for those who wish to use the material more proactively, we are preparing an affiliate program in which a portion of the advertising profit is given to the creator.”
Nintendo Games Eligible for Creative Endorsement Program
Moving on to the real meat of the situation, during an event for Dwango/Nicovideo, Nintendo was revealed to be a sponsor.
During said event, a video was shown featuring Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata, in which he announced that Nintendo is now officially giving its permission for anyone to use their games and properties for derivative works (such as Let’s Play videos, music covers, fan art, et cetera) – which is a distinct turnaround from the company’s previous stance on the matter.
Iwata also announced that over 250 Nintendo games and properties will be eligible for Dwango/Nicovideo’s “Creative Endorsement Program,” which was created back in 2011 in order to reward creators of popular, high traffic YouTube videos.
You can read a more in-depth overview on the situation here and here, if you so desire.
What are your thoughts on this new Nintendo development? Do you feel that it is a good move on the company’s part? Why or why not?
Let us know in the comments section below! As always, stay tuned to GamerHeadlines.com for the latest in video game and technology news.