Nintendo remains steadfast in its mission to clamp down on piracy, with an eye on extending its legal efforts to include more people tied to the activity, including those associated with the well-known modder, James “Archbox” Williams. This comes shortly after the company pursued legal action against Modded Hardware for distributing MIG Switch devices filled with pirated Nintendo games. The brand’s dedication to safeguarding its intellectual property is unwavering, especially as it approaches the release of its next-generation Switch.
It’s evident that Nintendo’s legal pursuits are far from over. Amid their probe into Switch pirates, a fresh federal court document revealed the company’s intention to target additional individuals. Nintendo’s tactics in protecting its property aren’t new. The tech giant frequently uses the Digital Millennium Copyright Act to dismantle leaks and webpages hosting unauthorized ROMs and emulators. Just last year, Nintendo wrapped up a $2.4 million lawsuit settlement with Tropic Haze, makers of the discontinued Yuzu Switch emulator. The closure of the Yuzu project didn’t sway Tropic Haze from condemning game piracy.
Still riding high on its courtroom victories, Nintendo continues its aggressive stance. Recent filings in the Washington state district court, supported by insights from Stephen Totilo at Game File, highlight Nintendo’s expanded efforts following the tracking and lawsuit against James “Archbox” Williams. Williams, a moderator on the SwitchPirates subreddit, now under scrutiny, failed to make his case in court, opening the door for Nintendo to notch a default judgment. To further unravel Williams’ network, Nintendo is seeking legal approval to access business records from platforms like Reddit, Discord, GitHub, and others like Google and server hosts such as GoDaddy and Namecheap.
The pursuit continues. In June 2024, while suing Williams, Nintendo simultaneously targeted Modded Hardware, who persisted in selling MIG Switch units despite earlier cease-and-desist notifications directed at their leader, Ryan Daly, in March 2024. Nintendo’s track record in legally defending its assets proves its intolerance for piracy, indicating a relentless quest to protect its creations as anticipation builds around the upcoming Switch console.
