In what turned out to simply be a knee-jerk reaction, video game company Nintendo has filed a lawsuit against the officially licensed animated Super Mario Bros. Movie. Executives were later sheepishly able to admit that they mistakenly believed that the recent trailer, which was quick to go viral, was a project being done without Nintendo’s permission.
Friendly Fire Flower
Companies like Nintendo are all too used to having to take a defensive legal stance. Some amount of litigiousness is necessary to protect their brand, and with more than a few of the most recognizable IPs of all time under their belt, it’s only natural for them to be somewhat protective. Others are surprised that Nintendo hadn’t caught on that this was all above board, considering how big the waves this new movie had been making online.
After the new Super Mario Bros. Movie trailer was released, it didn’t take long for Nintendo to take legal action. Specifically, the company went after the film’s producers, but their lawsuit soon got the cast involved as well.
Nintendo president Doug Bowser later admitted that it was a mistake. But this doesn’t seem to be enough for even the most faithful of Nintendo fans because of the company’s recent history of making some arguably questionable decisions.
How many more lives can Nintendo lose?
Some gamers have cited the abrupt cancelation of a beloved Smash Bros. tournament. The suddenness of Nintendo’s decision left everyone out of the loop and put advertisers, broadcasters, and players alike in a terrible situation.
Things certainly didn’t work out any better for Seth Rogan, who voices the barrel-smashing ape Donkey Kong in the upcoming movie. Rogan was arrested and put in jail as a result of this suit, and it was a day before Nintendo realized what was happening and had him released.
Nintendo’s lawyers are still adamant in defending the company’s tough stance on protecting their intellectual properties. Needless to say, the fans as well as the cast and crew of this new movie might not be so quick to forgive the video game giant.
