Nintendo Wins Switch Piracy Lawsuit: Default Judgment Against r/SwitchPirates Moderator

Nintendo Achieves Major Legal Victory in Switch Piracy Case: $4.5 Million Default Judgment Against r/SwitchPirates Moderator Nintendo of America has secured a significant win in its ongoing campaign against Nintendo Switch piracy, following a U.S.

court’s default judgment against James 'Archbox' Williams, known as the lead moderator for the r/SwitchPirates subreddit.

Williams, accused of facilitating the distribution of pirated Nintendo Switch games via multiple online platforms, has been ordered to pay $4.5 million in damages and faces a permanent injunction barring him from engaging in further piracy. Legal Proceedings and Context The case, filed in the Superior Court of the State of Washington and referenced in recent court documents dated October 24, 2025, concludes a series of actions Nintendo of America (NOA) has pursued since July of the previous year.

Williams was identified by Nintendo for his central role in distributing unauthorized copies of Nintendo Switch games.

In November 2024, Williams failed to respond to the legal summons—an omission that prompted the court to enter a default judgment, effectively granting Nintendo the full sum it sought in damages. Court documents reveal Nintendo’s position, stating that the company “has been, and continues to be, damaged as a direct and proximate result of Williams’ conduct.” Nintendo asserts that Williams engaged in the unlawful reproduction and distribution of hundreds or even thousands of copyrighted Nintendo Switch titles, and facilitated access to vast libraries of these unauthorized games through so-called “pirate shops.” The company also noted its ongoing investment in updating technological protection measures (TPMs) and investigating such acts of piracy. Williams Remains Unresponsive Despite a brief communication received in January 2025 from a lawyer claiming to represent Williams, indicating he recognized Nintendo could obtain documents supporting its legal motion, no further correspondence followed.

Williams did not present a defense or otherwise participate in the proceedings, leading to the court’s default decision.

According to filing records, in March 2024, Williams originally responded to a Nintendo cease-and-desist letter by stating he would “comply and cooperate with any demands” within his control, but he simultaneously denied infringing Nintendo’s intellectual property rights.

No substantive follow-up occurred after this exchange. Broader Efforts Against Piracy The Williams lawsuit is just one of multiple piracy-related cases pursued by Nintendo of America.

Around the same period, Nintendo filed suit against Modded Hardware, a retailer accused of selling modchips used to circumvent Nintendo Switch security.

That case is presently advancing in court, with the defendant, Ryan Daly, representing himself. Industry Impact Nintendo’s aggressive legal strategy underscores its zero-tolerance approach to piracy on the Nintendo Switch, protecting both its own investments and the interests of developers who release titles on the Nintendo eShop and other platforms.

As Nintendo prepares for upcoming software releases and continues to expand its presence on hardware like the Nintendo Switch, maintaining the integrity of its intellectual property remains a central priority. This court ruling sends a clear message to would-be infringers: Nintendo will vigorously pursue legal remedies to counter piracy and safeguard its game ecosystem, both now and in the future.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch Archbox SwitchPirates James 'Archbox' Williams r/SwitchPirates Williams Nintendo of America James Archbox Williams Superior Court of the State of Washington Washington District Court Modded Hardware Ryan Daly TorrentFreak