Nintendo

Nintendo shuts down rumors of lobbying against generative AI

Following an official apology from a Japanese lawmaker, the company reiterates its commitment to IP protection amid the rise of generative AI tools.

Gabriel Huerta

Update: Oct 6th, 2025 17:27 CEST

Nintendo has issued a firm denial regarding recent rumors that the company was lobbying the Japanese government for restrictions on generative Artificial Intelligence. The Kyoto-based corporation publicly insisted it has not had any communication with lawmakers concerning the controversial emerging technology, a statement made necessary after a high-profile politician apologized for spreading the initial, unverified claim.

The rumors gained traction after Japanese House of Representatives member Satoshi Asano posted on social media, suggesting Nintendo was engaging in lobbying activities. Following Nintendo’s official clarification on its corporate social media account, Mr. Asano deleted his original post and issued an apology for failing to verify the facts adequately. Nintendo’s swift and direct response successfully shut down the misinformation spreading online.

Contrary to recent discussions on the internet, Nintendo has not had any contact with the Japanese government about generative AI. Whether generative AI is involved or not, we will continue to take necessary actions against infringement of our intellectual property rights.
— 任天堂株式会社（企業広報・IR） (@NintendoCoLtd) October 5, 2025

“Contrary to recent discussions on the internet, Nintendo has not had any contact with the Japanese government about generative AI,” the company wrote. “Whether generative AI is involved or not, we will continue to take necessary actions against infringement of our intellectual property rights.”

OpenAI is aware of the user content

This stance is particularly relevant as the debate around generative AI and copyright continues to unfold across the entertainment industry. Recent weeks have seen the issue brought into sharp focus following the launch of OpenAI’s Sora 2 video generation application, which reportedly produced clips containing copyrighted characters, including those from Nintendo’s extensive library. OpenAI, the developer behind the technology, has acknowledged this user content and has promised to offer copyright holders “more granular control” over character generation moving forward. This proactive change aims to allow rights holders to specify how their characters can be used—or not used—within the AI video generation tool, a move that could significantly enhance their ability to defend their digital assets.