Nintendo Wins French Court Case Against DSTORAGE: A Major Step in Anti-Piracy Efforts
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Published on: March 04, 2025
Description
Nintendo has achieved a pivotal legal victory in its ongoing fight against game piracy, as the French judiciary Court has ruled against DSTORAGE SAS, the operator of the popular sharehoster website 1fichier.com.
This decision, announced by Nintendo and highlighted by industry outlets including TorrentFreak, marks the conclusion of a lengthy litigation process and reinforces the company's commitment to protecting its intellectual property across platforms like the Nintendo Switch and eShop.
Background: The Legal Battle Over 1fichier
Nintendo, a global leader in video game development and hardware innovation, has built a reputation for vigorously defending its copyrights and trademarks in the digital domain.
The case against DSTORAGE SAS began when 1fichier, a 'freemium' file-hosting platform, was found to be hosting and sharing pirated copies of Nintendo games.
Despite initial rulings, ambiguity remained about the extent of liability and enforcement responsibilities for sharehosters like DSTORAGE.
In 2023, the Paris Court of Appeals sided with Nintendo, but the recent and final clarification by the French judiciary Court cements DSTORAGE’s liability.
The court’s verdict not only obliges DSTORAGE to remove or block pirated content but also holds them financially responsible if they fail to do so.
Nintendo’s Official Response
A Nintendo spokesperson stated that the company “welcomes the Court’s definitive finding of liability against DSTORAGE, viewing this as a significant outcome not only for Nintendo itself but for the wider games industry.” The ruling establishes that sharehosters cannot claim that a court order is required before they must remove pirated content upon notification by rights holders.
Nintendo emphasized that this decision confirms content owners’ rights to request takedown of infringing material under copyright or trademark law.
This case coincides with another key development: the French Supreme Court recently upheld the decision of a major French bank to terminate payment processing with 1fichier.com because of inadequate anti-piracy measures.
Nintendo highlighted these legal victories as clear indicators that file hosting services are not exempt from copyright enforcement.
Impact on the Gaming Industry
Nintendo continues to encourage legitimate development and creative innovation in the gaming world.
It also reiterated its longstanding position, advising consumers to avoid downloading pirated Nintendo Switch games, noting that doing so may compromise the gameplay experience and hardware functionality.
Nintendo’s successful litigation is part of a broader campaign to curb unauthorized distribution of its intellectual property, which includes ongoing action against other fronts such as Switch emulators and recent legal proceedings involving software it regards as infringing, such as the ongoing case regarding Palworld.
This landmark ruling sets a precedent for other gaming companies and further establishes legal groundwork for digital copyright protection in France and beyond.
As the gaming industry evolves, Nintendo remains at the forefront of anti-piracy efforts, ensuring continued support for game developers and the integrity of platforms like Nintendo Switch and the eShop.
