ROME — Italian authorities confiscated more than 30 gaming handhelds from a prominent tech YouTuber this week after a surprise raid linked to alleged copyright violations. The target: "Once Were Nerds," a popular channel known for modifying and reselling retro gaming devices.
The Raid
Financial police (Guardia di Finanza) stormed the creator’s residence near Milan on Tuesday, seizing a trove of devices including Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and Analogue Pocket units. Officials cited evidence of "large-scale commercial modification" of hardware involving unlicensed software—a violation of Italy’s strict intellectual property laws.
The investigation began after Nintendo’s Italian division flagged the YouTuber for installing custom firmware and pirated games on devices sold via Patreon. Under Italian law, circumventing hardware protections for profit carries fines up to €25,000 and potential criminal charges.
🔍 Watch the Channel’s Controversial Modding Tutorial
Financial Police Display Seized Devices
Background: From Tutorials to Legal Trouble
"Once Were Nerds" built a 500,000-subscriber following by teaching viewers to jailbreak consoles and install emulators. But recent Patreon-exclusive "pre-modded" sales drew scrutiny. Authorities allege the operation netted over €150,000 in 2024 alone—funds now frozen pending trial.
Industry analysts note rising tensions between content creators and gaming giants. "Nintendo aggressively protects its IP," said gaming lawyer Elena Moretti. "This raid signals zero tolerance for monetized piracy."
Broader Implications
The crackdown mirrors global copyright battles, but Italy’s financial police have unique authority to seize assets pre-trial. Critics argue the response is disproportionate:
"Modding isn’t inherently illegal, but selling devices pre-loaded with ROMs crosses a line,"
noted Android Authority’s deep dive into the case.
Read the Legal Analysis Here
The YouTuber faces a December court date. If convicted, they could forfeit all seized equipment and face a multi-year business ban. Nintendo declined to comment, though sources confirm ongoing probes into "similar enterprises" across Europe.
For updates, follow our tech crime desk at @EuroTechWatch.
Key Details:
- Devices Seized: 19x Nintendo Switch, 7x Steam Deck, 5x Analogue Pocket, + accessories
- Allegations: Unlicensed software installation, commercial copyright infringement
- Legal Risk: Fines up to €25k + potential criminal penalties under Law No. 633/1941
- Creator’s Response: No public statement; Patreon paused, YouTube videos remain online
*Editor’s Note: This story develops as Italian authorities expand anti-piracy operations ahead of 2026’s EU Digital Markets Act enforcement.*
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