Nintendo Intensifies Fight Against Switch Piracy with $4.5M Lawsuit
Nintendo is once again taking a firm stand against piracy, filing a lawsuit against a Reddit moderator for allegedly copying and distributing pirated Nintendo Switch games. The gaming giant is seeking $4.5 million in damages and an injunction to prevent further illicit activities from the accused. A court hearing for this case is set for October 24.
According to court documents from the Western Washington District, the moderator is identified online as James Williams, also known as Archbox. Nintendo claims that since 2019, Williams has been instrumental in creating and operating a network of “Pirate Shops,” through which he allegedly offered thousands of illegally copied games to users for free.
Beyond distributing pirated games, Williams is also accused of being a key moderator of the Reddit community “SwitchPirates,” which boasted a membership of 190,000. Nintendo’s filing states that he regularly posted requests for donations, specifically Nintendo eShop gift cards, which he then allegedly used to purchase new games for the purpose of pirating them. The lawsuit further details that Williams managed at least four major piracy platforms and was involved in other similar projects. Some of these platforms even offered “pro-level” access for eShop card donations, granting users access to games that had not yet been released in pirated form.
The accusations extend to his alleged leading role in the “Missing Dumps” community, a group that reportedly expanded its library of pirated games by purchasing official copies using donated gift cards. Furthermore, Nintendo claims Williams developed and distributed software designed to bypass Switch’s security, which is necessary to run the pirated titles.
Nintendo states that in March 2024, it demanded Williams shut down all associated platforms. However, he allegedly failed to comply, denied his involvement, and displayed what Nintendo described as “aggressive and unconstructive” behavior.
The $4.5 million in damages is calculated based on 30 key games, with each infringement valued at $150,000. Interestingly, Nintendo opted not to seek compensation for the distribution of illegal software, an action that could have added several more millions to the claim. This ongoing legal battle highlights Nintendo’s unwavering commitment to protecting its intellectual property and sends a clear message to those involved in game piracy within the gaming community.
Post a Comment