YouTuber Faces Jail Over Retro Gaming Handheld Reviews
▼ Summary
– Italian YouTuber Francesco Salicini faces potential jail time for reviewing handheld devices that sometimes come pre-loaded with pirated games.
– Authorities confiscated over 30 gaming consoles, his phone, and transcripts of conversations with handheld makers during a search in April.
– Salicini is accused of violating Italian copyright law, with penalties up to €15,000 and three years in prison.
– He denies promoting piracy, stating his reviews were objective and complied with YouTube policies, but his social channels are being blocked.
– Salicini has started a GoFundMe to cover legal fees as he expects the case to go to trial.
A popular YouTuber specializing in retro gaming handheld reviews could potentially face prison time after Italian authorities accused him of copyright infringement. The case involves Francesco Salicini, known online as Once Were Nerd, whose home was raided by Italy’s Guardia di Finanza in April as part of an investigation into alleged promotion of pirated content.
Officials confiscated over 30 gaming devices from Salicini’s personal collection, including models from brands like ANBERNIC, Powkiddy, and TrimUI, along with his phone and communications with manufacturers. While his phone was returned in June, the YouTuber now faces serious legal consequences under Article 171-ter of Italy’s Copyright Law, which carries penalties of up to €15,000 and three years in prison.
Salicini maintains his innocence, arguing that his videos were objective reviews rather than sponsorships for pre-loaded games. In a translated statement, he emphasized that his content always highlighted both strengths and weaknesses of the devices. Despite this, authorities have moved to block his social media channels, preventing him from uploading new content unrelated to the case.
With a trial likely, Salicini has launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover mounting legal expenses. He insists none of his 200+ videos violated YouTube’s policies, adding that Italian law doesn’t require prosecutors to disclose specific charges until after their investigation concludes.
This case follows recent global crackdowns on piracy, including the FBI’s seizure of multiple ROM-sharing websites earlier this month. The situation highlights the legal risks content creators face when reviewing devices that may include unauthorized game files, even if unintentionally.
Salicini has yet to publicly comment further, leaving fans and legal observers watching closely as the case develops.
(Source: EUROGAMER)
