Nintendo Threatens To Shut Down Real-Life Mario Kart

MariCar has offered customers the chance to ride the streets of Tokyo dressed up as Mario, Luigi, or other Nintendo characters, while driving go-karts made to look like those featured in the company’s popular game, Mario Kart. But Nintendo filed a lawsuit against MariCar, saying the company had not gotten permission to use its characters. MariCar says it has consulted with lawyers who say its business model would not violate Nintendo’s copyright. It also noted that news of the lawsuit had overwhelmed its website and disrupted business operations. “We cannot even imagine how much it would cost in a court dispute against the world-famous company,” MariCar said. “We are afraid that our business will be hugely influenced.”