A federal judge in Washington has awarded Nintendo $4.5 million in a default judgment against James Williams, a man accused of running an operation that distributed pirated Switch games. The ruling, issued Wednesday by US District Judge Lauren King, also requires Williams to immediately disable access to online shops that allegedly housed pirated game files and to shut down social media accounts used to distribute copyrighted Switch titles.
Williams, who also goes by the online handle ‘archbox,’ was a leading moderator of the r/SwitchPirates community on Reddit. Nintendo sued him in 2024, and when he failed to respond to the lawsuit, the company requested a default judgment in October. Judge King granted that request, finding that Nintendo had demonstrated Williams promoted pirate shops, encouraged others to contribute pirated games, assisted in their distribution, and knew the activity violated copyright laws.
Details of the Judgment
The $4.5 million award reflects statutory damages of $150,000 per violation across 30 copyrighted games. Among the titles cited in the case are Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Luigi’s Mansion 3, and Pikmin 4.
According to the judge’s findings, Williams solicited donations of Nintendo eShop gift cards and copies of Switch games. Those donated games were then allegedly copied and distributed through pirate stores. The court determined that Williams not only facilitated this activity but actively encouraged it within the r/SwitchPirates community.
As part of the default judgment, Williams must immediately disable access to the alleged pirate shops and shut down any social media accounts used to distribute copyrighted Switch games. The order is intended to halt the ongoing distribution of pirated material.
Background and Allegations
Nintendo filed its lawsuit against Williams in 2024, accusing him of operating a network of pirate shops that offered libraries of pirated Switch games. The company also alleged that Williams promoted circumvention software, which allows users to bypass protections on the console and play unauthorized copies of games.
Williams did not respond to the lawsuit, leading to the default judgment. Judge King wrote that Nintendo had sufficiently shown Williams’s involvement in promoting and assisting copyright infringement. The court’s findings emphasize that Williams knew his actions were illegal.
Williams’s role as a moderator of r/SwitchPirates gave him a platform to coordinate and encourage piracy. The community, which has since been a focus of Nintendo’s legal efforts, allegedly served as a hub for sharing pirated games and circumvention tools.
Nintendo's Broader Copyright Enforcement
This case is part of a broader pattern of copyright litigation by Nintendo over the past several years. The company has consistently pursued legal action against individuals and groups involved in piracy of its games and hardware.
Recently, Nintendo won a case in the Netherlands concerning Mig flash cartridges, which allow users to play pirated copies of games. That victory, like the current judgment, underscores Nintendo’s commitment to protecting its intellectual property through the courts.
The default judgment against Williams serves as a reminder of the legal consequences for those who facilitate piracy. While the $4.5 million award may be difficult to collect, the injunction requiring Williams to cease his activities and shut down his operations represents a significant win for Nintendo.
Nintendo has not commented on the specifics of the judgment, but the company’s ongoing legal efforts highlight its determination to combat piracy and protect its copyrighted works.
