Nintendo demands $4.5 million from Reddit mod accused of piracy

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Nintendo is suing a Reddit moderator for $4.5 million, claiming they ran websites that illegally shared thousands of Nintendo Switch games.

According to VGC, James Williams—also known online as Archbox—used to manage a subreddit dedicated to illegally sharing Switch games. Court records identify him as the defendant in the case.

Nintendo accuses Williams of operating illegal stores – nicknamed “Pirate Shops” – that distributed copied versions of their games. They also claim he provided tools to remove the console’s security features and asked users for Nintendo eShop gift cards to support these activities.

Nintendo sues Reddit moderator for millions

According to legal documents, Williams has been illegally distributing copyrighted games since 2019. Nintendo first reached out to him in March 2024, asking him to take down the websites involved. Although he reportedly admitted to wrongdoing, Nintendo claims he didn’t follow through with their requests and missed legal deadlines.

As a Nintendo fan, I was shocked to read about their lawsuit! It turns out they’re going after the people behind those ROM sites for 30 of their biggest Switch games. They’re asking for the full $150,000 penalty for *each* game, which adds up to a massive $4.5 million! Apparently, they *could* have asked for even more money related to the software used to bypass security, but they decided not to pursue that this time around. It’s a strong stance against piracy, that’s for sure.

Because Williams hasn’t filed a response to the lawsuit, Nintendo is requesting the judge issue a default judgment in their favor. A court hearing is set for October 24, 2025, to determine if Nintendo will receive financial compensation and a court order to stop any further violations.

This case highlights Nintendo’s ongoing and strong opposition to piracy and online communities related to the Switch console. Although the claims haven’t been proven in court yet, the result could influence how Nintendo handles similar situations going forward.

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2025-10-07 14:18