In a default judgment, a US federal judge awards Nintendo of America $4.5M in damages in its lawsuit against a Reddit moderator who sold pirated Switch games

The cost to acquire and distribute pirated games on the Nintendo Switch increases significantly.

Nintendo of America has been awarded $4.5 million in damages in a lawsuit against Reddit moderator James Williams, also known as Archbox. Nintendo sued Williams in June 2024 for copyright infringement, alleging he sold pirated Nintendo Switch games through online shops. The court entered a default judgment in Nintendo's favor because Williams failed to respond to the lawsuit. As part of the judgment, Williams is also ordered to immediately cease operation of all online shops that distribute pirated Nintendo Switch games. This legal action follows Nintendo's broader efforts to combat game piracy, including a recent lawsuit against Modded Hardware and a successful case in the Netherlands that makes it illegal to sell modding kits for pirated games. Nintendo has been actively tracking down individuals involved in piracy, using methods like linking online activity to hardware repair records to obtain personal information.

This default judgment against a Reddit moderator signifies Nintendo's aggressive stance and success in pursuing legal action against individuals involved in game piracy, even when defendants fail to appear in court. The substantial damages awarded, coupled with the injunction to shut down online shops, serve as a strong deterrent to others engaged in similar activities. It highlights the company's capability in tracing illicit operations back to individuals, utilizing their own digital footprint and service records to build a case.

The ruling, along with parallel actions in Europe, signals a concerted global effort by Nintendo to protect its intellectual property and maintain the integrity of its gaming ecosystem. Companies operating in the digital distribution space, particularly those linked to gaming communities or modding, should anticipate increased scrutiny and potential legal repercussions if they facilitate or ignore copyright infringement.