Nintendo remains steadfast in its legal crusade against piracy, indicating plans to expand its focus on more individuals, especially those associated with the infamous modder, James “Archbox” Williams. The company recently opened another chapter in its ongoing battle against piracy by filing a lawsuit against Modded Hardware, which was allegedly involved in selling devices pre-loaded with unauthorized Nintendo games. This vigorous protection of intellectual property is particularly pertinent as they gear up for the next big thing—a new version of the Switch console.
There’s no slowing down for Nintendo as it digs deeper into the case of Switch users accused of piracy. Recent filings in federal court reveal the company’s intention to widen its net, pursuing further legal action against those facilitating game piracy. This follows hot on the heels of an earlier move against a notable Switch modder, implicated in the illicit distribution of pirated game content.
Nintendo’s history with legal pursuits to shield its creations is well-documented. For years, they have leveraged the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) as a tool to dismantle leaker networks and take down sites peddling ROMs and emulators. A recent highlight in this extensive campaign includes a hefty $2.4 million settlement from Tropic Haze, the developers of the Yuzu Switch emulator. Although the emulator was pulled down after the settlement, Tropic Haze remained vocal about their opposition to piracy.
Nothing seems to be off their radar this year, despite an already cluttered legal docket. According to detailed records from a U.S. district court in Washington, Nintendo is determined to cast a wider net. This initiative intensified after they zoned in on James “Archbox” Williams, a figure of interest in the SwitchPirates subreddit—an online community with over 216,000 members suspected of engaging in illicit activities.
Nintendo previously scored a legal victory in a default judgment against Williams, who failed to make a court appearance. Now, they’re seeking approval to subpoena a range of tech companies—Reddit, Discord, GitHub, Cloudflare, Google, and others—to track Williams’ alleged collaborators.
Returning to court, Nintendo files underline the quest for further probes into piracy-related dealings. They’ve targeted associates linked with Williams, previously nailed for both piracy and violating Nintendo’s copyrights. Post his legal defeat, Nintendo’s strategy extends to uncovering related data via subpoenas to prominent digital platforms.
Back in June 2024, Nintendo also took legal action against Modded Hardware, known for vending MIG Switch devices and game mods with pirated titles. Even after receiving a cease-and-desist order, Ryan Daly, the mind behind Modded Hardware, continued sales until the lawsuit hit.
Having amassed several legal wins, Nintendo’s message is clear: piracy is unacceptable. With exciting buzz surrounding the successor to the Switch, it will be intriguing to watch how these legal maneuvers play out in the coming months.
