Nintendo Denies Lobbying Japanese Government Against AI
▼ Summary
– Nintendo is reportedly lobbying the Japanese government against generative AI to protect its intellectual property, according to a politician’s post.
– The politician cited multiple lawsuits by media companies against AI firms for copyright infringement, including domestic and international cases.
– Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has issued guidelines recommending checks for similarity between AI-generated content and copyrighted works.
– Nintendo has denied the claims, stating it has had no contact with the government regarding generative AI.
– The company emphasized it will continue to protect its intellectual property rights regardless of AI involvement.
The global conversation surrounding artificial intelligence continues to intensify, with major corporations like Nintendo frequently drawn into debates about its application and risks. While the gaming giant has historically expressed caution regarding AI integration, recent claims suggesting the company is actively lobbying the Japanese government against generative AI have been firmly refuted.
These assertions originated from Satoshi Asano, a member of Japan’s House of Representatives, who included the allegation in a broader social media post. He stated that Nintendo deliberately avoids using generative AI to safeguard its intellectual property and is involved in lobbying efforts. His post also referenced several high-profile copyright lawsuits, including actions by Japanese newspapers against AI firms and similar cases involving the New York Times and Getty Images overseas. He further mentioned domestic initiatives, such as a government-issued guidebook for AI use in content creation, which advises checking for similarities between AI outputs and existing copyrighted works.
However, Nintendo has officially denied these claims. The company released a statement clarifying that it has not engaged in any contact with the Japanese government on this subject. The company reaffirmed its commitment to protecting its intellectual property, emphasizing that it will take necessary action against any infringements, regardless of whether generative AI is involved.
Following Nintendo’s denial, Asano removed his original post, acknowledging it contained incorrect information. This incident highlights the sensitive and often speculative nature of discussions about corporate stance and government policy on emerging technologies.
Previous comments from Nintendo executives align with a philosophy that prioritizes human creativity. Doug Bowser, President of Nintendo of America, has emphasized that a “human touch” will always be integral to their game development process. Similarly, legendary creator Shigeru Miyamoto has previously shared thoughtful perspectives on balancing innovation with the artistic integrity that defines Nintendo’s beloved franchises.
(Source: Nintendo Everything)
