Eps 5: Kirby: Attorney At Law - How an American attorney helped Nintendo for Donkey Kong and turned Kirby to what he is today
In a 10-minute podcast titled "Kirby: Attorney At Law," the focus is on how an American attorney played a crucial role in helping Nintendo during the Donkey Kong era, ultimately shaping the evolution of the popular video game character Kirby. The podcast highlights how Nintendo faced a legal battle with Universal Studios, which claimed that Donkey Kong infringed on their King Kong copyright. To resolve this, Nintendo enlisted the help of attorney John Kirby, who successfully defended the company by arguing that King Kong was in the public domain. As a gesture of gratitude, Nintendo named their lovable pink character after the attorney, with Kirby going on to become an iconic figure in Nintendo's lineup of characters. The podcast showcases Kirby's rise to popularity and acknowledges the significant impact John Kirby had on the famed video game franchise.
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Host
Sonia Duncan
Podcast Content
It all started in the early 1980s, when Nintendo released their hit arcade game, Donkey Kong. The game featured a giant gorilla named Donkey Kong who kidnapped a damsel in distress, Pauline, and the heroic plumber, Jumpman (who would later become known as Mario), who must rescue her. However, Universal Studios, the film studio behind the iconic King Kong franchise, believed that Donkey Kong was a direct infringement on their intellectual property rights and filed a lawsuit against Nintendo.
Enter John Kirby, a seasoned attorney with a background in copyright and intellectual property law. Kirby took on the case and successfully defended Nintendo in court, arguing that Donkey Kong was not a direct copy of King Kong and that there were enough differences between the two properties to distinguish them. Kirby's arguments ultimately convinced the judge, and Nintendo emerged victorious in the lawsuit.
But Kirby's contributions to Nintendo did not end there. Impressed by his legal skills and dedication, Nintendo decided to honor Kirby by naming one of their characters after him. And thus, Kirby, the lovable pink puffball with the ability to inhale enemies and copy their powers, was born. Kirby went on to become a fan-favorite character in the Nintendo universe, starring in his own series of games and appearing in various crossovers with other Nintendo characters.
Thanks to John Kirby's legal expertise and his pivotal role in the Donkey Kong case, Nintendo was able to overcome a major hurdle in their early years and establish themselves as a powerhouse in the video game industry. Kirby, in turn, became a symbol of creativity and innovation, embodying the spirit of perseverance and determination that helped Nintendo overcome adversity and achieve success.
So the next time you pick up a Kirby game or see the iconic pink puffball in action, remember the story of John Kirby and how his legal expertise and dedication helped shape the world of Nintendo and turn Kirby into the beloved character he is today. Thank you for tuning in to Kirby: Attorney At Law. Join us next time for another fascinating story from the world of video games.