Nintendo’s Hunt for Switch Pirates

Tracking Down Alleged Switch Pirate Through Reddit Posts

Nintendo reportedly hunted down an alleged Switch pirate by tracking their reddit posts.

Nintendo’s Legal Battles Against Modded Console Business

Earlier this year, after putting Switch pirate Gary Bowser behind bars and targeting emulator software Yuzu, Nintendo resumed its fight against the modded console business with new lawsuits, including one against James “Archbox” Williams, who was the main moderator behind r/SwitchPirates.

As reported by Game File, it seems Williams was located after Nintendo commissioned a law firm to investigate “freeshops” or online repositories for pirated Switch games.

Nintendo’s Investigation and Legal Actions

By analyzing Williams’ past posts online – including one from reddit user “archbox” in 2015 that was very complementary about Midwestern University’s optometry clinic – the firm helped the Japanese company “succeed in linking Archbox with at least two Nintendo accounts for an individual named James Williams”.

And because Williams seemingly used the same email address to get repairs for their Nintendo Switch, staff at Nintendo’s Product Lifecycle Management group was able to find his shipping address.

Once it had acquired Williams’ address, Nintendo sent a cease and desist, after which Williams initially agreed to “comply and cooperate” with Nintendo’s demands. However, Williams then went dark and failed to show up at court, defaulting judgment in favor of Nintendo.

Nintendo’s Recent Lawsuit Against a Streamer

ICYMI, last week Nintendo filed a new lawsuit against a streamer who broadcast 10 pirated games ahead of their release, including The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom and Mario & Luigi: Brothership.

When Nintendo moved to shutdown streamer Jesse Keighin’s streams via copyright notices on YouTube, Twitch, and other streaming platforms, he reportedly told them he “could do this all day” and had “a thousand burner accounts”.

Nintendo further alleges that as well as broadcasting unreleased games, he also instructed others on how to obtain pirated games via “circumvention devices” Nintendo calls “trafficking”.

FAQs

Q: How did Nintendo track down the alleged Switch pirate?

A: Nintendo tracked down the alleged Switch pirate by analyzing their reddit posts and linking them to specific accounts.

Q: What legal actions did Nintendo take against the alleged pirate?

A: Nintendo sent a cease and desist to the alleged pirate, who initially agreed to comply but later failed to show up in court.

Credit: www.eurogamer.net