Nintendo's May 2025 Policy Updates: Difference between revisions

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*Updates to '''Section 6 (User-Generated Content)''' of the EULA, now requiring adherence to Nintendo's specific content guidelines.

*New provisions in '''Section 13 (Breach and Termination of the Agreement)''' of the EULA, where Nintendo reserves the right in some regions (notably the US) to ''"render the Nintendo Account Services and/or the applicable Nintendo device permanently unusable in whole or in part."''<ref name="EULASummaryChanges">{{Cite web |title=Nintendo Account User Agreement - What's Changed? |url=https://www.nintendo.com/us/eula-update/ |website=Nintendo |access-date=May 15, 2025}}</ref>

*Significant changes to '''Section 16 (Dispute Resolution)''' of the EULA, mandating [[forced arbitration]] and including a class-action waiver, though with an opt-out provision.<ref name="EULASummaryChanges" /> ~~(Previously, this article incorrectly cited Section 1 for arbitration).~~

*Significant changes to '''Section 16 (Dispute Resolution)''' of the EULA, mandating [[forced arbitration]] and including a class-action waiver, though with an opt-out provision.<ref name="EULASummaryChanges" />

==Background==

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This may be a detail better preserved on a dedicated article on this incident - JamesTDG 5/15/25-->

The enforcement of these policies has also seen the closure of Tournaments,<ref name="ArsSmashTournaments2013">{{Cite web |last=Orland |first=Kyle |date=Jul 11, 2013 |title=Why Nintendo can legally shut down any Smash Bros. tournament it wants |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/07/why-nintendo-can-legally-shut-down-any-smash-bros-tournament-it-wants/ |access-date=May 15, 2025 |website=Ars Technica}}</ref> lawsuits against competing ~~studios~~,<!--~~Refs~~ to ~~be added:~~

The enforcement of these policies has also seen the closure of Tournaments,<ref name="ArsSmashTournaments2013">{{Cite web |last=Orland |first=Kyle |date=Jul 11, 2013 |title=Why Nintendo can legally shut down any Smash Bros. tournament it wants |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/07/why-nintendo-can-legally-shut-down-any-smash-bros-tournament-it-wants/ |access-date=May 15, 2025 |website=Ars Technica}}</ref> lawsuits against competing companies,<ref>{{Cite web |last=@PirateSoftware |date=17 Oct 2024 |title=Palworld Lawsuit |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4ZZx4wiofw |url-status=live |access-date=7 May 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Norman |first=Jim |date=May 5, 2025 |title=Accessory Manufacturer Genki Responds To Nintendo's Switch 2 Lawsuit |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/05/accessory-manufacturer-genki-responds-to-nintendos-switch-2-lawsuit |work=Nintendo Life}}</ref> the persistent war on emulation,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Robertson |first=Joshua |date=Oct 1, 2024 |title=Nintendo Is Going After YouTubers That Show Off Emulated Game Footage |url=https://www.thegamer.com/nintendo-striking-youtubers-using-emulated-game-footage/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=@Hemos |date=12 Feb 1999 |title=Nintendo Confirms It Will Sue UltraHLE Creators 96 |url=https://games.slashdot.org/story/99/02/12/0943207/nintendo-confirms-it-will-sue-ultrahle-creators |url-status=live |access-date=7 May 2025 |website=games.slashdot.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ford |first=Joseph |date=11 Apr 2024 |title=Ninten-don’t: Breaking Down the Yuzu Emulator Lawsuit |url=https://www.romanolaw.com/ninten-dont-breaking-down-the-yuzu-emulator-lawsuit/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 May 2025 |website=www.romanolaw.com}}</ref> and more. Due to how far Nintendo has historically aimed to enforce its policies, it is reasonable to expect these May 2025 policy updates to be similarly enforced.<!-- Question to what extent this is relevant for an incident article?

~~Source on Palworld lawsuit~~

~~Source on Genki lawsuit~~--> the persistent war on emulation,<!--~~Refs to be added~~:

~~Source on Retro Game Corps~~

~~Sources on other emulation channels~~

~~Sources on lawsuits against emulators~~--> and more. Due to how far Nintendo has historically aimed to enforce its policies, it is reasonable to expect these May 2025 policy updates to be similarly enforced.<!-- Question to what extent this is relevant for an incident article?

It was more just the first example that came to mind as a way to demonstrate how strict the policy is. - JamesTDG

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==Consumer response==

There has been significant consumer backlash over the changes to these terms, leading many to expect that Nintendo is trying to reserve their right to 'brick' customer's consoles as a measure of policy enforcement,<ref name="RunNGameYouTube">{{Cite web |last=Run N Game Entertainment |date=May 13, 2025 |title=Is Nintendo breaking the law? |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hOiD-lvaok |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref name="FashoKangYouTube">{{Cite web |last=Fasho |first=Kang |date=May 11, 2025 |title=The Switch 2 will RUIN Gaming [Full Controversy Explained] (Angry Rant) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P8Pv97mt8U |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref name="NintenDeenYouTube">{{Cite web |last=NintenDeen |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Console Bans |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1H6cKTNxKM |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref name="PsybeamYouTube">{{Cite web |last=Psybeam |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Nintendo Can Now Permanently Disable Your Switch If You're Found Modding |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG7LoNJcpw8 |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref> despite the fact that intentionally rendering a device inoperable would be a violation of consumer protection laws within the United States and European Union. This however does not mean [[Nintendo]] cannot hinge the functionality of the device's software excessively on an online connection to their servers, meaning a ban could render a console functionally useless.

There has been significant consumer backlash over the changes to these terms, leading many to expect that Nintendo is trying to reserve their right to 'brick' customer's consoles as a measure of policy enforcement,<ref name="RunNGameYouTube">{{Cite web |last=Run N Game Entertainment |date=May 13, 2025 |title=Is Nintendo breaking the law? |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hOiD-lvaok |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref name="FashoKangYouTube">{{Cite web |last=Fasho |first=Kang |date=May 11, 2025 |title=The Switch 2 will RUIN Gaming [Full Controversy Explained] (Angry Rant) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P8Pv97mt8U |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref name="NintenDeenYouTube">{{Cite web |last=NintenDeen |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Console Bans |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1H6cKTNxKM |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref name="PsybeamYouTube">{{Cite web |last=Psybeam |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Nintendo Can Now Permanently Disable Your Switch If You're Found Modding |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG7LoNJcpw8 |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref> despite the fact that intentionally rendering a device inoperable would be a violation of consumer protection laws within the United States and European Union. This however does not mean [[Nintendo]] cannot hinge the functionality of the device's software excessively on an online connection to their servers, meaning a ban could render a console functionally useless by restricting access to game patches (which are only installable through a connection to Nintendo's servers, there is no offline patch functionality).

Concerns were widely reported by major gaming publications. Eurogamer<ref name="EurogamerBricking2025">{{Cite web |last=Nightingale |first=Ed |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Nintendo reserves the right to brick your console following "unauthorised use", in bid to prevent piracy |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/nintendo-reserves-the-right-to-brick-your-console-following-unauthorised-use-in-bid-to-prevent-piracy |access-date=May 9, 2025 |website=Eurogamer}}</ref> and Game File<ref name="GameFileEffectiveDate" /> were among the outlets<ref>{{Cite web |last=McCrae |first=Scott |date=8 May 2025 |title=New Nintendo of America policy asks users to give up their rights to a class-action lawsuit and call customer service instead: "Most matters can be quickly resolved in this manner" |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/platforms/nintendo/new-nintendo-of-america-policy-asks-users-to-give-up-their-rights-to-a-class-action-lawsuit-and-call-customer-service-instead-most-matters-can-be-quickly-resolved-in-this-manner/ |access-date=9 May 2025 |website=GamesRadar}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Litchfield |first=Ted |date=10 May 2025 |title=PC gaming remains undefeated: Nintendo now says it has the right to brick your Switch if it thinks you're pirating games or modifying the console |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/pc-gaming-remains-undefeated-nintendo-now-says-it-has-the-right-to-brick-your-switch-if-it-thinks-youre-pirating-games-or-modifying-the-console/ |url-status=live |access-date=11 May 2025 |website=PC Gamer}}</ref> covering these details. Other publications like IGN,<ref name="IGNBrickingMay2025" /> GameSpot,<ref name="GameSpotBrickingQuote" /> TechRadar,<ref name="TechRadarBricking2025">{{Cite web |last=Publisher |first=Future |date=May 12, 2025 |title=Nintendo now says it can disable your Switch or potentially even your new Switch 2 if you don't follow its user agreement |url=https://www.techradar.com/gaming/nintendo-now-says-it-can-disable-your-switch-or-potentially-even-your-new-switch-2-if-you-dont-follow-its-user-agreement |access-date=May 15, 2025 |website=TechRadar}}</ref> GamesIndustry.biz,<ref name="GamesIndustryBrickingQuote" /> and Android Authority<ref name="McNealAA2025" /> also provided analysis and reported on user concerns.

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 *Updates to '''Section 6 (User-Generated Content)''' of the EULA, now requiring adherence to Nintendo's specific content guidelines.
 *New provisions in '''Section 13 (Breach and Termination of the Agreement)''' of the EULA, where Nintendo reserves the right in some regions (notably the US) to ''"render the Nintendo Account Services and/or the applicable Nintendo device permanently unusable in whole or in part."''<ref name="EULASummaryChanges">{{Cite web |title=Nintendo Account User Agreement - What's Changed? |url=https://www.nintendo.com/us/eula-update/ |website=Nintendo |access-date=May 15, 2025}}</ref>
-*Significant changes to '''Section 16 (Dispute Resolution)''' of the EULA, mandating [[forced arbitration]] and including a class-action waiver, though with an opt-out provision.<ref name="EULASummaryChanges" /> (Previously, this article incorrectly cited Section 1 for arbitration).
+*Significant changes to '''Section 16 (Dispute Resolution)''' of the EULA, mandating [[forced arbitration]] and including a class-action waiver, though with an opt-out provision.<ref name="EULASummaryChanges" />
 ==Background==
@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 This may be a detail better preserved on a dedicated article on this incident - JamesTDG 5/15/25-->
-The enforcement of these policies has also seen the closure of Tournaments,<ref name="ArsSmashTournaments2013">{{Cite web |last=Orland |first=Kyle |date=Jul 11, 2013 |title=Why Nintendo can legally shut down any Smash Bros. tournament it wants |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/07/why-nintendo-can-legally-shut-down-any-smash-bros-tournament-it-wants/ |access-date=May 15, 2025 |website=Ars Technica}}</ref> lawsuits against competing studios,<!--Refs to be added:
+The enforcement of these policies has also seen the closure of Tournaments,<ref name="ArsSmashTournaments2013">{{Cite web |last=Orland |first=Kyle |date=Jul 11, 2013 |title=Why Nintendo can legally shut down any Smash Bros. tournament it wants |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/07/why-nintendo-can-legally-shut-down-any-smash-bros-tournament-it-wants/ |access-date=May 15, 2025 |website=Ars Technica}}</ref> lawsuits against competing companies,<ref>{{Cite web |last=@PirateSoftware |date=17 Oct 2024 |title=Palworld Lawsuit |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4ZZx4wiofw |url-status=live |access-date=7 May 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Norman |first=Jim |date=May 5, 2025 |title=Accessory Manufacturer Genki Responds To Nintendo's Switch 2 Lawsuit |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/05/accessory-manufacturer-genki-responds-to-nintendos-switch-2-lawsuit |work=Nintendo Life}}</ref> the persistent war on emulation,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Robertson |first=Joshua |date=Oct 1, 2024 |title=Nintendo Is Going After YouTubers That Show Off Emulated Game Footage |url=https://www.thegamer.com/nintendo-striking-youtubers-using-emulated-game-footage/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=@Hemos |date=12 Feb 1999 |title=Nintendo Confirms It Will Sue UltraHLE Creators 96 |url=https://games.slashdot.org/story/99/02/12/0943207/nintendo-confirms-it-will-sue-ultrahle-creators |url-status=live |access-date=7 May 2025 |website=games.slashdot.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ford |first=Joseph |date=11 Apr 2024 |title=Ninten-don’t: Breaking Down the Yuzu Emulator Lawsuit |url=https://www.romanolaw.com/ninten-dont-breaking-down-the-yuzu-emulator-lawsuit/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 May 2025 |website=www.romanolaw.com}}</ref> and more. Due to how far Nintendo has historically aimed to enforce its policies, it is reasonable to expect these May 2025 policy updates to be similarly enforced.<!-- Question to what extent this is relevant for an incident article?
-Source on Palworld lawsuit
-Source on Genki lawsuit--> the persistent war on emulation,<!--Refs to be added:
-Source on Retro Game Corps
-Sources on other emulation channels
-Sources on lawsuits against emulators--> and more. Due to how far Nintendo has historically aimed to enforce its policies, it is reasonable to expect these May 2025 policy updates to be similarly enforced.<!-- Question to what extent this is relevant for an incident article?
 It was more just the first example that came to mind as a way to demonstrate how strict the policy is. - JamesTDG
@@ Line 67: / Line 62: @@
 ==Consumer response==
-There has been significant consumer backlash over the changes to these terms, leading many to expect that Nintendo is trying to reserve their right to 'brick' customer's consoles as a measure of policy enforcement,<ref name="RunNGameYouTube">{{Cite web |last=Run N Game Entertainment |date=May 13, 2025 |title=Is Nintendo breaking the law? |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hOiD-lvaok |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref name="FashoKangYouTube">{{Cite web |last=Fasho |first=Kang |date=May 11, 2025 |title=The Switch 2 will RUIN Gaming [Full Controversy Explained] (Angry Rant) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P8Pv97mt8U |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref name="NintenDeenYouTube">{{Cite web |last=NintenDeen |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Console Bans |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1H6cKTNxKM |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref name="PsybeamYouTube">{{Cite web |last=Psybeam |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Nintendo Can Now Permanently Disable Your Switch If You're Found Modding |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG7LoNJcpw8 |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref> despite the fact that intentionally rendering a device inoperable would be a violation of consumer protection laws within the United States and European Union. This however does not mean [[Nintendo]] cannot hinge the functionality of the device's software excessively on an online connection to their servers, meaning a ban could render a console functionally useless.
+There has been significant consumer backlash over the changes to these terms, leading many to expect that Nintendo is trying to reserve their right to 'brick' customer's consoles as a measure of policy enforcement,<ref name="RunNGameYouTube">{{Cite web |last=Run N Game Entertainment |date=May 13, 2025 |title=Is Nintendo breaking the law? |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hOiD-lvaok |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref name="FashoKangYouTube">{{Cite web |last=Fasho |first=Kang |date=May 11, 2025 |title=The Switch 2 will RUIN Gaming [Full Controversy Explained] (Angry Rant) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P8Pv97mt8U |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref name="NintenDeenYouTube">{{Cite web |last=NintenDeen |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Console Bans |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1H6cKTNxKM |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref name="PsybeamYouTube">{{Cite web |last=Psybeam |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Nintendo Can Now Permanently Disable Your Switch If You're Found Modding |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG7LoNJcpw8 |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref> despite the fact that intentionally rendering a device inoperable would be a violation of consumer protection laws within the United States and European Union. This however does not mean [[Nintendo]] cannot hinge the functionality of the device's software excessively on an online connection to their servers, meaning a ban could render a console functionally useless by restricting access to game patches (which are only installable through a connection to Nintendo's servers, there is no offline patch functionality).
 Concerns were widely reported by major gaming publications. Eurogamer<ref name="EurogamerBricking2025">{{Cite web |last=Nightingale |first=Ed |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Nintendo reserves the right to brick your console following "unauthorised use", in bid to prevent piracy |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/nintendo-reserves-the-right-to-brick-your-console-following-unauthorised-use-in-bid-to-prevent-piracy |access-date=May 9, 2025 |website=Eurogamer}}</ref> and Game File<ref name="GameFileEffectiveDate" /> were among the outlets<ref>{{Cite web |last=McCrae |first=Scott |date=8 May 2025 |title=New Nintendo of America policy asks users to give up their rights to a class-action lawsuit and call customer service instead: "Most matters can be quickly resolved in this manner" |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/platforms/nintendo/new-nintendo-of-america-policy-asks-users-to-give-up-their-rights-to-a-class-action-lawsuit-and-call-customer-service-instead-most-matters-can-be-quickly-resolved-in-this-manner/ |access-date=9 May 2025 |website=GamesRadar}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Litchfield |first=Ted |date=10 May 2025 |title=PC gaming remains undefeated: Nintendo now says it has the right to brick your Switch if it thinks you're pirating games or modifying the console |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/pc-gaming-remains-undefeated-nintendo-now-says-it-has-the-right-to-brick-your-switch-if-it-thinks-youre-pirating-games-or-modifying-the-console/ |url-status=live |access-date=11 May 2025 |website=PC Gamer}}</ref> covering these details. Other publications like IGN,<ref name="IGNBrickingMay2025" /> GameSpot,<ref name="GameSpotBrickingQuote" /> TechRadar,<ref name="TechRadarBricking2025">{{Cite web |last=Publisher |first=Future |date=May 12, 2025 |title=Nintendo now says it can disable your Switch or potentially even your new Switch 2 if you don't follow its user agreement |url=https://www.techradar.com/gaming/nintendo-now-says-it-can-disable-your-switch-or-potentially-even-your-new-switch-2-if-you-dont-follow-its-user-agreement |access-date=May 15, 2025 |website=TechRadar}}</ref> GamesIndustry.biz,<ref name="GamesIndustryBrickingQuote" /> and Android Authority<ref name="McNealAA2025" /> also provided analysis and reported on user concerns.