A YouTuber named Francesco Salicini, also known as Once Were Nerd, faces legal issues in Italy for reviewing handheld gaming devices that may include pirated games. The Italian customs officials, Guardia di Finanza, confiscated over 30 devices from him, alleging copyright law violations related to gaming consoles that come with pre-loaded games. Salicini claims he has never sponsored but reviewed these products without bias. He is now facing potential fines and up to three years in prison under Article 171-ter of the Italian Copyright Law. Salicini has launched a GoFundMe to cover his legal expenses, as he battles what he considers an injustice against his right to create fair reviews.

What are the legal implications for reviewing gaming consoles that can play pirated games?

The legal implications can be severe, as seen in Salicini's case, where review activities are scrutinized under copyright law. Reviewers may face fines or imprisonment if they are found promoting devices that aid in copyright infringement.

This incident highlights the ongoing battle between copyright laws and content creation in the gaming industry. With the rise of handheld consoles that can store various games on micro SD cards, the lines between legitimate review practices and promoting piracy become increasingly blurred. The future of gaming journalism may rely heavily on understanding these legal frameworks to protect content creators from similar situations.