Latest news with #FrancescoSalicini
Android Authority
7 days ago
- Android Authority
Here's why that embattled retro gaming YouTuber might not be so innocent
TL;DR Embattled retro gaming YouTuber Once Were Nerd left out key incriminating details in his initial video. Earlier videos uploaded to the channel link to blog posts sharing ROM and BIOS downloads. He may have also sold consoles, with ROMs, on the secondhand market via Facebook. Creating emulation-focused content online is risky business, since the entire industry is filled with legal gray areas. Italian YouTuber Once Were Nerd found this out the hard way, with authorities seizing dozens of consoles and threatening jail time for sharing copyrighted content. While his initial response video proclaimed innocence, new details have come to light that tell a different story. While the creater never explicitly shared ROMs, he may have played a little too fast and loose for his own good. In a video posted in January, Once Were Nerd creator Francesco Salicini ran through the steps to set up a new emulation handheld (h/t Monto Tech). While he clearly wants to avoid giving details on YouTube, he links to a blog post on his website with the text 'Where to find ROMs' in the description. The link to the blog post has since been removed, but it's still visible in the Wayback machine (translated below). That blog post (which is still live as of writing) links to websites with ROM and BIOS downloads, both of which are protected by copyright. The post does include a disclaimer asking readers to only download ROMs for games they legally own, but this is a very thin legal defense. The video also recommends buying a handheld that ships with a microSD card filled with ROMs, then copying those ROMs to your other gaming handhelds. In addition to this, users on the RetroAchievements forums uncovered that he was auctioning used handhelds on his Facebook page. These included the original microSD cards filled with games, which refutes his initial claims that he did not share or profit from copyrighted material. Still, it's worth pointing out that all of these handhelds are readily available to buy on Amazon. Handing down jail time to a YouTuber for a relatively minor offense while ignoring the retailers and middlemen who are actively profiting off of selling copyrighted materials isn't a great precedent to set for content creators in the future. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Android Authority
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Android Authority
Embattled retro gaming YouTuber shares update, launches new channel
TL;DR Once Were Nerd, the Italian YouTuber under fire for reviewing handhelds, has shared an update on his channel. The case is still active, but authorities have already requested his channel be shut down. YouTube is reviewing the case, but he has proactively created a new channel. The retro gaming community has rallied behind the embattled Italian YouTuber Once Were Nerd, who faces a massive fine and possible jail time for reviewing emulation handhelds with pre-loaded ROMs. He has now posted a short update amid the media frenzy, although it may be his last. In a YouTube Short embedded below, Once Were Nerd creator Francesco Salicini thanked his followers for their support, and revealed that authorities have already requested that his channels be taken down. This includes not just his website and YouTube channel, but also his Twitch, Facebook, Instagram, Discord, and Telegram. While his website is already unavailable for many users in Italy, YouTube is still reviewing the case. He has removed all videos covering ANBERNIC handhelds, but his stance is still that he didn't break any community guidelines. There are countless other YouTubers reviewing the same products, many of which are readily available on Amazon Italy, complete with pre-loaded ROMs. Still, he has taken the proactive step of creating a second channel in case his first is shut down. He would lose over 220 videos and nearly 50,000 subscribers, but at least he can continue his career as a YouTuber. At the moment, the second channel doesn't have any uploads, but if things continue to escalate, that's where you can find future updates. That said, Francesco did mention that he has to be careful with what he says. Anything he says can be used against him in court, so his lawyers have advised him to avoid giving more details about the case. Ultimately, his main wish is for all of this to blow over so he can get back to creating YouTube videos for his followers. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
