Nintendo Wins $2 Million Lawsuit Over Nintendo Switch Modding

Nintendo has achieved another significant legal victory in its ongoing efforts to combat unauthorized hardware modifications, this time securing a $2 million settlement in a federal lawsuit centered on Nintendo Switch modding.

The case, filed in July 2023, targeted Ryan Daly, a Michigan-based individual operating a business under the name “Modded Hardware,” which offered modded Nintendo Switch consoles and related circumvention devices, including the so-called MiG Switch hardware. According to official court documents, Nintendo initially contacted Daly with a cease-and-desist demand, warning of legal consequences should he persist with selling modified Switch systems and modding accessories.

Although Daly initially agreed to halt his activities, he later indicated via communication that he was seeking new legal representation and did not comply with Nintendo's request to fully stop the sale and distribution of modded consoles. As a result, Nintendo proceeded to escalate the dispute to the federal court in Seattle.

The gaming giant’s complaint accused Daly of engaging in "trafficking in circumvention devices" and direct copyright infringement—serious violations under U.S.

law aimed at protecting intellectual property and digital rights management systems.

Daly contested the claims, filing an initial response denying any wrongdoing. However, with mounting evidence and the weight of Nintendo’s legal strategy, the two parties reached a settlement before the case went to trial.

The court has now ordered Daly to pay $2 million in damages to Nintendo.

In addition to the financial penalty, Daly is subject to a permanent injunction that strictly prohibits him from manufacturing, distributing, selling, or even promoting modded Nintendo Switch devices.

The injunction also extends to forbidding Daly from sharing instructions or materials that could assist others in bypassing the Switch’s security measures or replicating the mods. This outcome reinforces Nintendo’s unwavering commitment to protecting its intellectual property and hardware platform ecosystem.

The company has a long history of defending the integrity of its hardware—including the Nintendo Switch—through aggressive legal actions that target both individuals and larger operations involved in the distribution of modding tools and circumvention devices. Nintendo’s legal department continues to pursue similar actions internationally, with recent lawsuits also targeting entities that leak sensitive product information or sell counterfeit Nintendo goods, such as amiibo figures.

By maintaining strict enforcement against modders and counterfeiters, Nintendo ensures the continued trust of its gaming community and the stability of its software and eShop platforms. The conclusion of this case serves as a strong reminder of Nintendo’s stance against console modding and the substantial consequences for parties engaged in such activities.

For developers, publishers, and hardware manufacturers operating within the video game industry, it highlights the importance of robust legal frameworks in safeguarding creative rights and proprietary technology.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch console Modded Hardware Ryan Daly Seattle federal court