A Lawyer Explains: Why Isn’t Sega Overprotective of its Intellectual Property?
A Lawyer Explains: Why Isn’t Sega Overprotective of its Intellectual Property?
by Moonsight
25 Comments
Moonsight
Hi r/Nintendo! I’m a lawyer who has recently taken up Video Essaying as a hobby.
I posted a video here about a month ago, on why Nintendo might be so overprotective of its IP.
In that video, we talked about how it really isn’t that Nintendo is overprotective, but rather that Nintendo is doing what the law requires, given its position.
Many people asked then, why Sega doesn’t seem to be overprotective, if the law requires Nintendo to be.
I wanted to answer that question, with this essay. I’d be happy to answer any questions too! I think you will find, appearances can be deceiving, and in the corporate world, things are not often what they appear to be, on the surface.
SatyrAngel
Because… They dont have a console anymore..
???
SoManyWeeaboos
This looks super interesting. Queued up to watch when I get home from work.
Loakattack
Sega made sonic games vs Christian whitehead made sonic games are way different. You see why one is superior and why sega allows it.
killerdude23233
Well done, OP. I was going to comment how SEGA had a stranglehold on all their IPs other than Sonic, but you hit the nail on the head.
Kimarnic
Because they don’t give a shit about Sonic
And you don’t see romhacks/fan games of Persona or Yakuza.
Sonic is literally all they have.
Nintendo has romhacks / fan games of literally everything
TheCaliKid89
!remindme 12 hours
stunami
Clicked on the video to watch a few minutes and got sucked in. What an excellent video, thoroughly interesting & entertaining. Thank you for your hard work.
Pigeon_Chess
It’s the reason why Nintendo are still in the console market and there’s now debate on wether sonic games were ever actually “good”
MBCnerdcore
I am always skeptical of people posting their own videos on this sub, but this might be the best presentation I have ever seen. You can feel the prep work and research oozing out, and your voice is natural clear and well-written. You are talented AF, OP. The fantastic charity work is icing on the cake, and I’ve upvoted this post. I have subscribed to your channel, and made a donation.
I hope Sonic and Mario fans especially those who make fan works see this. This video is required viewing for anyone that makes a hobby or side hustle from video game related fan art and games.
mildly-annoyed-pengu
I saw his [original video](https://youtu.be/i13hrynnGNY) and it was wicked interesting, didn’t know he was a lawyer
Friendly-Bathroom-10
As usual Nintendo is the worst company ever and blizzard is better
BeigeSportsmen
This is the exact type of video game history content I’ve been after.
Well researched, well presented, and detailed without being sensational. Thanks for making and posting it!
TheLimeyLemmon
My favourite Nerrel quote
Pennarello_BonBon
The great emerald’s power allows me to feel 😛
Very good video!
Exaskryz
tl:dw:
The laws still apply the same between companies. The goal for both is financial growth. The choices in valuation of their IP is what differs. What you see is some PR tactics. SegaSammy is the merged company. Sammy bought Sega. Who’s Sammy? Succinctly, a Japanese gambling company. Doesn’t have great PR, but has great profits. SegaSammy directs Sega to let Sonic as a recognizable and beloved IP have some freedom among fans as a way to bolster the reputation of Sega and better obscure the reputation of Sammy in SegaSammy. Additionally, subsidiaries to Sega, e.g. Atlus, play the traditional role in IP management and will perform the legal IP protections just as Nintendo does. Sonic had more value to build a reputation to SegaSammy than as a direct revenue producer. But recent success financially in official Sonic media begs the question if this model and approach to the fanbase may change.
A very interesting watch. I am not a sonic fan in the least, having played all of 20 minutes of Sonic in my life. But OP gave an engaging essay. If you have time, please watch.
Mrgreen1138
SEGA to me will always be the company that could have given us the epic Shenmue saga, but instead chose to shit out Sonic 06
Squish_the_android
Just saying, you put a lot of work into the visuals but this is totally something I’d be more likely to listen to as a podcast.
I know that there’re a lot of things to consider there like monetization but just something to note.
Wubbzy-mon
I watched it live, and I don’t regret it.
TheSolidSnivy
Because Sega don’t what Nintendoes.
(Honestly looks like a great vid, and I’m excited to watch it in full in a bit.)
[deleted]
[deleted]
r_peeling_potato
Interesting, thanks for sharing! I listened to it while doing my laundry.
tehsuigi
Really enjoyed the video, man. Was not aware Atlus was owned by Sega!
empowereddave
Hahah “Nintendon’t”. GOTM
mojo276
I’ve really enjoy these two videos! I can’t say I know how many more videos this topic has, but if you keep putting them out I’ll keep watching them. Great pacing for such a long video.
25 Comments
Hi r/Nintendo! I’m a lawyer who has recently taken up Video Essaying as a hobby.
I posted a video here about a month ago, on why Nintendo might be so overprotective of its IP.
In that video, we talked about how it really isn’t that Nintendo is overprotective, but rather that Nintendo is doing what the law requires, given its position.
Many people asked then, why Sega doesn’t seem to be overprotective, if the law requires Nintendo to be.
I wanted to answer that question, with this essay. I’d be happy to answer any questions too! I think you will find, appearances can be deceiving, and in the corporate world, things are not often what they appear to be, on the surface.
Because… They dont have a console anymore..
???
This looks super interesting. Queued up to watch when I get home from work.
Sega made sonic games vs Christian whitehead made sonic games are way different. You see why one is superior and why sega allows it.
Well done, OP. I was going to comment how SEGA had a stranglehold on all their IPs other than Sonic, but you hit the nail on the head.
Because they don’t give a shit about Sonic
And you don’t see romhacks/fan games of Persona or Yakuza.
Sonic is literally all they have.
Nintendo has romhacks / fan games of literally everything
!remindme 12 hours
Clicked on the video to watch a few minutes and got sucked in. What an excellent video, thoroughly interesting & entertaining. Thank you for your hard work.
It’s the reason why Nintendo are still in the console market and there’s now debate on wether sonic games were ever actually “good”
I am always skeptical of people posting their own videos on this sub, but this might be the best presentation I have ever seen. You can feel the prep work and research oozing out, and your voice is natural clear and well-written. You are talented AF, OP. The fantastic charity work is icing on the cake, and I’ve upvoted this post. I have subscribed to your channel, and made a donation.
I hope Sonic and Mario fans especially those who make fan works see this. This video is required viewing for anyone that makes a hobby or side hustle from video game related fan art and games.
I saw his [original video](https://youtu.be/i13hrynnGNY) and it was wicked interesting, didn’t know he was a lawyer
As usual Nintendo is the worst company ever and blizzard is better
This is the exact type of video game history content I’ve been after.
Well researched, well presented, and detailed without being sensational. Thanks for making and posting it!
My favourite Nerrel quote
The great emerald’s power allows me to feel 😛
Very good video!
tl:dw:
The laws still apply the same between companies. The goal for both is financial growth. The choices in valuation of their IP is what differs. What you see is some PR tactics. SegaSammy is the merged company. Sammy bought Sega. Who’s Sammy? Succinctly, a Japanese gambling company. Doesn’t have great PR, but has great profits. SegaSammy directs Sega to let Sonic as a recognizable and beloved IP have some freedom among fans as a way to bolster the reputation of Sega and better obscure the reputation of Sammy in SegaSammy. Additionally, subsidiaries to Sega, e.g. Atlus, play the traditional role in IP management and will perform the legal IP protections just as Nintendo does. Sonic had more value to build a reputation to SegaSammy than as a direct revenue producer. But recent success financially in official Sonic media begs the question if this model and approach to the fanbase may change.
A very interesting watch. I am not a sonic fan in the least, having played all of 20 minutes of Sonic in my life. But OP gave an engaging essay. If you have time, please watch.
SEGA to me will always be the company that could have given us the epic Shenmue saga, but instead chose to shit out Sonic 06
Just saying, you put a lot of work into the visuals but this is totally something I’d be more likely to listen to as a podcast.
I know that there’re a lot of things to consider there like monetization but just something to note.
I watched it live, and I don’t regret it.
Because Sega don’t what Nintendoes.
(Honestly looks like a great vid, and I’m excited to watch it in full in a bit.)
[deleted]
Interesting, thanks for sharing! I listened to it while doing my laundry.
Really enjoyed the video, man. Was not aware Atlus was owned by Sega!
Hahah “Nintendon’t”. GOTM
I’ve really enjoy these two videos! I can’t say I know how many more videos this topic has, but if you keep putting them out I’ll keep watching them. Great pacing for such a long video.