Nintendo Intensifies Efforts to Combat Switch Piracy

In its relentless fight against piracy, Nintendo is once again pushing forward, determined to root out more individuals involved in such activities. The gaming giant’s latest move involves expanding its focus to include associates of the well-known modder, James “Archbox” Williams. Recently, Nintendo has been embroiled in legal squabbles, such as a lawsuit against Modded Hardware for selling devices loaded with pirated Nintendo games. It’s clear that Nintendo is steadfast in protecting its intellectual property, especially as anticipation builds around the release of their next-gen console.

Recently, reports emerged that Nintendo is not slowing down in its quest to clamp down on Switch users and modders linked to piracy. A federal court document underlined Nintendo’s intent to target more individuals for legal action, coming in the wake of achievements against a known Switch modder accused of facilitating piracy.

Nintendo’s struggle to shield its creations is nothing new; the company has long been utilizing the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) to thwart leakers and platforms sharing ROMs and emulators of its beloved games. Just earlier this year, Nintendo wrapped up a legal agreement by securing a $2.4 million settlement from Tropic Haze, the entity behind the Yuzu Switch emulator. Although the emulator ceased operations, Tropic Haze still spoke out against game piracy.

Despite already having a full plate of legal entanglements, Nintendo announced it is poised to send out even more legal warnings. A filing in the U.S. District Court of Washington state—echoed by industry insider Stephen Totilo—revealed Nintendo’s intention to zero in on more targets following a probe into a renowned Switch pirate. Having successfully sued James “Archbox” Williams already, Nintendo now plans to investigate the SwitchPirates subreddit, a community boasting over 216,000 members. The company is moving to subpoena records from Reddit, Discord, GitHub, Cloudflare, Google, GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Tucows to identify Williams’ alleged co-conspirators after securing a win by default when Williams didn’t appear in court.

In June 2024, apart from targeting Williams, Nintendo also initiated a lawsuit against Modded Hardware. This outfit was responsible for selling MIG Switch devices bundled with pirated Nintendo titles. Despite a cease and desist order served earlier in the year, Modded Hardware, led by Ryan Daly, pressed on with sales – until faced by litigation.

Nintendo’s record of courtroom triumphs showcases its unwavering resistance to piracy. With the upcoming release of the successor to the current Switch, the industry and fans alike are watching intently to see where these ongoing investigations will lead.