(NOTE: We cite BlackNerd/Andre as an example of a YouTube account affected by the latest content ID sweep, even for videos he was commissioned to make. Andre has clarified he did not get any content ID matches from Nintendo.)

Nintendo vloggers are being affected by Youtube’s current ID matching sweep, following a change in Youtube policies regarding content IDs, affiliates and partners.

To be clear, Nintendo is not directly involved in the copyright flags, but their policies did have a direct adverse effect on the videos. Here’s how it went down:

Months ago, Youtube reviewed their rules for their partners and affiliates program after the National Music Publishers Association sued multichannel network Fullscreen for copyright violations. Without going into too much details here, the issues surrounding the lawsuit go to the heart of fair use of copyrighted material, and the risks and benefits of exposure versus unauthorized use. (If you\’d like to learn more, please read the link.)

Almost as a side effect, Youtube placed all their videos through another Content ID matching sweep, which is still ongoing as of this writing. Of course, as a Youtube partner themselves, Nintendo has chosen not to block videos showing their games, but they will take monetization when said videos are found.

Of course, Youtube’s ‘sweeping’ search also affects videos that were commissioned by video makers themselves (Note: some of the videos BlackNerd/Andre has been commissioned for include videos for Nintendo) [EDIT: BlackNerd has clarified that none of the videos he received content ID matches were for Nintendo.]. Hopefully, all parties involved can clear up the details, but in the meantime, you can read some reaction tweets from the Nintendo vloggers below.

UPDATE: Google has released an official statement explaining that channels in these MCNs (for example, Machinima) will now be part of these content sweeps moving forward. We\’re sharing the full statement for you below: