Retro Gaming YouTuber Faces Investigation
Italian retro gaming creator Francesco “Once Were Nerd” Salicini has recently shared details about a raid on his home by the Guardia di Finanza (Italy’s tax and customs police) earlier this year. The raid, which took place on April 15, is connected to allegations of promoting consoles that come preloaded with pirated ROMs. He was not arrested.
Salicini says he is confident he did nothing illegal, but under Italian procedure, he will not be formally told the exact charges or who filed them until the preliminary investigation ends.
TL;DR – What Happened?
- Criminal Proceedings: He first received a notification about a criminal investigation three months before the raid, citing Article 171-ter of Italy’s 1941 copyright law.
- Search and Seizure: Six officers raided both his home and his mother’s home, confiscating over 30 handheld consoles (including popular models from ANBERNIC, Powkiddy, and TrimUI).
- Data Cloning: Authorities also checked his PCs and backed up all his communications, including emails, social media accounts, and WhatsApp.
- Phone Seized: His main phone was taken for forensic copying and returned about two months later (on June 18), forcing him to buy a new one just to continue working.
- Channel risk: According to Salicini, authorities have already asked YouTube to shut down his channel. YouTube is reviewing it, and he has opened a backup channel.
The Law (And the Real Issue)
The issue is not emulators, which are legal, but handhelds preloaded with games. Under Article 171‑ter, even promoting or importing devices packed with ROMs can result in up to three years in prison and fines up to €15,000.
He is currently in the investigation phase, which he says is usually communicated within around six months, but can be extended. If charges proceed, he will have 20 days to present a defense to avoid going to trial. His YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook pages could be suspended during this process, before any verdict.
His Side of the Story
Salicini says his videos focus on hardware reviews, not piracy, and are no different from what many reviewers worldwide do. He also stresses he has never taken sponsorships or affiliate commissions for these handhelds, keeping his channel independent.
In his recent video, he thanks his 45k+ subscribers for the support and says this whole ordeal might push him to move abroad once it is over. He also warns other Italian tech and retro reviewers to be careful when covering devices that ship with large game libraries.
Community Reactions
The case has caused quite a lot of debate. Many see it as heavy-handed enforcement of an outdated law, especially given how opaque the Italian investigative phase can be.
- Italy’s copyright law dates back to 1941, and the investigative process is often opaque.
- Critics argue that manufacturers and importers of these ROM-loaded devices should be targeted instead of reviewers.
- Retro fans worry this could set a dangerous precedent for emulator and handheld coverage across Europe.
On Reddit, users compared the raid to corporate overreach, even drawing parallels to past cases like the infamous Wizards of the Coast/Pinkertons incident.
Losing Faith
In his video, Francesco Salicini shared frustration not just with this case, but with the Italian state overall. He talked about years of struggles – from lack of aid after the 2016 earthquake, to financial hits during COVID-19, and issues with Italy’s 110% ecobonus program.
“I feel like I’m treated as a criminal for just doing my work,” he said, calling the experience disproportionate and exhausting.
What Happens Next?
- Will prosecutors formally charge under Article 171‑ter?
- Will YouTube suspend his main channel during the investigation?
- How will other EU creators adjust their coverage (footage, ROM mentions, affiliate links)?
- Will investigators move on to importers and marketplaces?
The investigation could wrap up within months, but there is no clear timeline. For now, Once Were Nerd is still publishing videos – at least until a decision is made.
Sources: Reddit, AndroidAuthority, YouTube
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