Go-kart firm seeks dismissal of suit over Mario Kart copyright

If this isn't copyright infringement then I don't know what is. Good fun of course, but clearly infringement.

what a waste of time for people who do not work. so stupid

I am surprised they thought Nintendo would never go after them. Nintendo doesn't mess around when it comes to their IPs. They will even claim any youtube videos if you don't sign to their creators program, even if it is only a few seconds.

Even the name of the company, MariCar! It is like they were almost asking to be taken to court.

I would just change the name and move on

At the end of the day, suing is just part of the business and it keeps lawyers working. I am sure Nintendo has no hard feelings.

Of course Nintendo is gonna keep going after this case which is clearly infringement. They are making money from using Nintendo characters likeness. Duh! Just get some Crash and Sonic costumes and go all in...

Not the first time I've posted this, but I'd bet that Nintendo is less worried about the money and more worried about the inevitable headlines when a serious accident happens to a tourist dressed as Mario. It is only a matter of time - and take a look at some of the youtube videos if you are in any doubt about the possibility of someone being killed. (I think it looks like great fun and might be willing to take the personal risk of giving it a go, but I wouldn't want my company's name associated with it unless we had very strict controls over operations)

Not all the costumes are Nintendo characters. People can dress as Superman, Piglet, various DragonBall characters that I'm not familiar with,... (It's actually a whole lot of fun - but it is driving. You need a license and you need to follow normal rules of the road.)

I'm surprised it's such a small amount they are going for.

I fully agree with ADK99 on this one, Nintendo needs to disassociate itself as far as possible from this because it's only a matter of time before a trucks wipes out a few of these karts in one hit.

Although there is no direct link or using the same name, If a company uses something similar, in the style of or starts using the same font for the lettering, it is called "passing off" in UK law, whether this applies in Japan I dont know, but looking at the the whole set up, IE go carts, bright green, red boiler suits, costumes, the name is very close (change a few letters) no wonder they have been taken to court.

It looks fun and it was enterprising of them to start it up, given that the karts are indeed street legal.

It's clearly trading off Nintendo's IP though, so I'd imagine at least the name will have to go.

what a waste of time for people who do not work. so stupid what a great time for people on vacation. and yes the carts are road legal with lights and indicators. You only need to wear helmets on two wheel vehicles in Japan.