Nintendo Wins $2 Million Lawsuit Against Switch Piracy Chip Seller

Nintendo Wins $2 Million Lawsuit Against Switch Piracy Chip Seller

Nintendo has once again taken a strong stance against video game piracy, securing a significant legal victory in the process. The gaming giant has been awarded $2 million in a lawsuit against Ryan Daly, the owner of Modded Hardware. Daly was found to be selling unauthorized modification chips for the Nintendo Switch console, which allowed users to install and play pirated copies of games.

The legal dispute began last year when Nintendo first contacted Daly in March, demanding that he cease all sales of the illicit chips. Despite allegedly agreeing to comply with Nintendo's demands, Daly reportedly continued to distribute the unauthorized devices. This led Nintendo to file a lawsuit in a Seattle federal court in July 2024, seeking damages and an injunction against his activities.

Daly initially attempted to challenge Nintendo's claims, presenting 17 arguments in his defense, asserting that his actions did not violate any laws. However, Nintendo's legal team ultimately prevailed. Before the case could go to trial, a settlement was reached. As part of the agreement, Daly is obligated to pay the $2 million in damages and has also agreed to permanently stop the creation and distribution of modified Nintendo devices and games. This also includes a ban on advertising third-party modifications and publishing any documents that could assist other users in engaging in similar illicit activities.

A key factor in this ruling appears to be that Daly not only sold the chips but also offered services to install these chips directly into consoles, often bundling this service with the installation of games obtained from pirated sources. This direct involvement in facilitating piracy, rather than just selling the components, likely played a crucial role in the court's decision.

This outcome serves as a clear warning to anyone involved in the sale or distribution of piracy-enabling devices and software for Nintendo consoles. It reaffirms Nintendo's ongoing commitment to protecting its intellectual property and the integrity of its gaming ecosystem, sending a strong message that it will continue to pursue legal action against those who facilitate game piracy.