YouTuber who posted a review of an emulator game console faces imprisonment and fines after house search

Italian YouTuber Once Were Nerd, who reviews retro games, has had his home searched. The problem is a 'retro game console' that contains many games and can be played on one device, and Once Were Nerd claims that 'not only have I never been paid to review this game console, but I have maintained my impartiality by not even including affiliate links.'

Retro gaming YouTuber faces jail time for reviewing handhelds - Android Authority

MI HANNO DENUNCIATO. ADDIO o ARRIVEDERCI?... - YouTube


Once Were Nerd is an Italian YouTuber who mainly does game reviews.

According to Once Were Nerd, on April 15, 2025, enforcers from The Guardia Di Finanza, the Italian authority that monitors financial crimes and illegal drug trafficking, appeared at his home and office and were shown a warrant to investigate the promotion of pirated versions. During the search of his home, more than 30 units were seized, including 'retro game consoles' from manufacturers such as ANBERNIC, Powkiddy, and TrimUI. Once Were Nerd was convinced that he had done nothing wrong, and provided logs of email and chat exchanges with the manufacturers at the request of the authorities. The seized game consoles were returned two months later.

Italian authorities believe that Once Were Nerd's review of retro game consoles violates Article 171 of the Copyright Act. One of the devices in question, the RG Slide from ANBERNIC, is an Android-based handheld game console that comes with more than 30 games and allows users to add their own games.

ANBERNIC RG Slide Official Unboxing - YouTube


Once Were Nerd stated that he has never published a paid review of an ANBERNIC product, and that he has not included any affiliate links to ensure fairness.

If found guilty, Once Were Nerd faces a maximum fine of 15,000 euros or 30 million Italian lira (about $23,000) and up to three years in prison.

News site Android Authority has expressed concern that Italy's copyright law was written in 1941, and that this 'sets a dangerous precedent for game review creators, especially those in countries with copyright laws that are decades outdated.'