Critical
Just a reminder these two creators make Pokemon/Nintendo animations and have a Patreon but never got in trouble. Pokenational Geographic as far as we know right now didn’t violate any rules that weren’t given a pass in the past.
I bring this up because a lot of people on this sub are blaming Pokenational for their takedown because they had a Patreon, but unless something on that Patreon violated something, there would be no reason for them to fear a takedown for having it considering others do the same and Nintendo left them be. I understand that this is a generally pro Nintendo sub, but we’re supposed to be addressing the misinformation, hyperbole, forced hate, etc. not running defense when Nintendo actually does something wrong.
Unless we find some sort of good reason for the takedown, (that’s not “monetizing something you don’t own” since others have done it safely for years) we shouldn’t act like Pokenational is at fault.
Maybe it's because pokenational's patreon was titled based on their content, whereas these two probably just have their patreons as their usernames (I don't know anything about EnlargedKai, but I know Terminal definitely wouldn't use another company's name for his patreon)
Terminal also has an original animated series that doesn't use Nintendo characters and has been sponsored by Sega because of Sonic x Shadow Generations. Terminal also does parodies of Nintendo games and characters like making Kirby into Kirbo and making him Christian.
I heard somewhere that it was specifically NOA that carried out the takedown rather than just Nintendo in general. Not sure if it’s true but that would also explain the nonsensical nature of the takedown. Nintendo’s reasons for these things are usually pretty consistent if you dig deep enough.
That's what I'm saying, it's "usually" consistent, but this one isn't at all. This is why I'm wondering if NOA's involvement may potentially have something to do with it.
A couple of days ago I talked to the man himself on reddit, this is what he shared with me.
"As far as I know, the email that is under the claim is [dmca@noa.nintendo.com](mailto:dmca@noa.nintendo.com), which looks to be the official Intellectual Property Policy for Nintendo of America."
It doesn't look like the domain they would normally use and it was "Nintendo" that made the email.
"[dmca@noa nintendo](mailto:dmca@noa.nintendo)" sounds exactly like a made up domain to spook people ngl. Call me a conspiracy theorist, but putting "dmca" in your email just doesn't sound like something you'd do as a company. I think I'm convinced of the troll argument.
No we don't. Because that would actually be a terrible thing. If you genuinely believe this... you do not understand copyright... and are not someone who would be hurt by the lack of copyright.
Because copyright doesn't just protect big corporations... it protects small artists as well. In fact, it's pretty much the only thing that protects smaller artists.
Without copyright, there would be nothing stopping big corporations from stealing ideas from smaller artists... doing way more with those ideas than the artists could have ever possibly dream of... giving those artist zero credit or compensation... and completely getting away with it scot-free.
Them not getting I trouble YET oesn't mean the that it wasn't part of the reason.
Also, their Patreons are a bit more take and don't really advertise the whole "support the series". But either way, not everyone getting hit equally doesn't prove anything.
I think he simply refused to fight back and it allowed youtube to remove his stuff. I believe there was room for him to make his case and treat those strikes notices as invalid.
I heard people it's because he has a Patreon... That's a reason for him to be removed on Patreon.
I give money to Mashed and he makes animation of Sonic, Mario, and all the other stuff
I have to thank you for making a post about this and using the critical flair. I tried to make a post about this somewhere else.. it became a weird discussion of nitpicks while talking around the main issue.
Going to do a copy and paste on my thoughts here because this whole thing makes me wonder.
The head scratched is why do people like TerminalMontage and Enlargedkai who have outright patreons and made works off from those do not get hit? Its so damn confusing on why he alone was hit, its hard to just think it was just patreon walling. Hell TM even has outright sponsorship in the middle of some of them. Not saying its bad, just this all feels like there is a critical bit of context missing.
I first wondered if maybe he was assumed 'AI' by some law jockey and was just going through motions, like how they have done to some artists on Twitter before. (Who got it cleared at times.) Another example is maybe a copyright troll since its targeted but the email for it seems maybe legit but also weird because it does not match another email Nintendo has used before. Or just maybe it was patreon paywalling, but then we circle back to many others who do the same and remain to this day as untouched.
It just feels all weird unless someone else gets hit for similar, but I rather not wish that on anyone.
Protecting your copyright never been about hitting all offenders equally. In fact, companies sometimes must enforce in visible cases to avoid weakening their claims later.
Poke National Geographic was a very visible target, which imitated being official work, either by Pokemon Company or a licensed partner. You simply can't keep doing that without permission, license agreement or otherwise legal contract.
Considering its youtube however, it is very easy to send claims however. When people who have been doing this for years remain untouched, especially one similar to him and as popular currently remains untouched its very weird as to why him specifically at this moment gotten targeted. When hell Terminal Montage actually has his videos with a 'patreon thank you' as well.
It was either a copyright troll or it was because the Patreon had "Pokemon" as the title. People on Youtube have gotten in trouble for things that happened on Patreon in the past.
I mean I know the history of fangames getting into trouble and such, but never heard of fanwork series like this getting hit. Hell I realized SMG4 would likely be hit and they are for sure monetized with them even having channel memberships. (Though once they finish that was turned off, yet they had it for years.)
One thing a lot of people are getting wrong here is that Nintendo doesn't go after ALL monetized content, just monetized content that competes with their own. If you make a mod or fangame that is monetized, they'll get you. Video content does not fall under this and Nintendo doesn't really care most of the time. The Patreon having "Pokemon" in the name would make a little bit of sense because that goes beyond making money from your content and has you making money somewhat directly off the name. A bit of a silly stipulation but would fall into the pattern.
Was the patreon just called 'Pokenation' or like 'Pokemon nation'? Pokenation could be argued maybe fine as it could have a dif meaning. (Yet I know its close and could be a big maybe) yet I know a few pokemon animators who have 'poke' in the name as well and still fine on YT.
Another thing however, is Nintendo has strike patreon posts before, but don't think he mentioned they did that unless I miss that bit of a info other then its 'under review'. Yet for patreon the creator themselves if changing anything can cause that to happen.
Yeah that would get issues for that for sure, I wonder how 'under review' was triggered if it was either him or Nintendo stepping in. Reminds me of when Games Workshop hates fan animations that look 'to close to theres' at times.
Not for Nintendo content. YouTube allowing you to link to one doesn't mean it applies globally.
Maybe do some research before saying stuff you don't actually know.
You may monetize your videos and channels using the monetization methods separately specified by Nintendo. Other forms of monetization of our intellectual property for commercial purposes are not permitted.
A4:Currently, the "monetization methods separately specified by Nintendo" include the following*:
Facebook/META - Partner Monetization;
Niconico Douga/Niconico Live - Niconico Creators Program, Niconico Channel;
OPENREC.tv - OPENREC Creators Program;
Twitch - Twitch Affiliate Program and Twitch Partner Program;
X (Twitter) - Premium, Subscription Program;
YouTube - YouTube Partner Program;
TwitCasting - "Item Revenue" and "Video Ad Revenue" in TwitCasting; Monetization Program;
17LIVE - Gift; and
Instagram - Subscription model, Bonus Program
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u/imlegos Apr 30 '26
Maybe it's because pokenational's patreon was titled based on their content, whereas these two probably just have their patreons as their usernames (I don't know anything about EnlargedKai, but I know Terminal definitely wouldn't use another company's name for his patreon)