08.10.2025
2 min
553
Nintendo of America has filed a lawsuit against James Williams, known online as *Archbox*, who operated a network of online stores offering pirated Nintendo Switch games. The Japanese gaming giant seeks $4.5 million in damages for copyright infringement and lost profits. According to court documents, Williams not only distributed unauthorized copies of Nintendo games, but also actively promoted websites with pirated content across online communities. He reportedly offered “donations” that allowed users to download games faster and without restrictions.
The defendant also provided technical advice on how to install and run illegal copies. Despite receiving an official cease-and-desist letter from Nintendo in August 2024, Williams did not respond and continued his activities.
As a result, Nintendo requested a default judgment — a court ruling in favor of the plaintiff when the defendant fails to appear in court.
Before filing the lawsuit, Nintendo made efforts to identify the perpetrator. The company appealed to Reddit, where Williams moderated a group called SwitchPirates, to disclose his personal details. Eventually, investigators linked his online activity to email addresses used for Nintendo repair requests, confirming his identity.
Nintendo emphasized that Williams’ actions caused serious harm to its business and that of its partners — including developers, artists, and programmers whose livelihoods depend on legitimate game sales.
Nintendo insists on a permanent injunction to halt Williams’ operations and seeks $4.5 million in compensation for copyright violations. The company stated it was forgoing additional DMCA statutory damages “as a gesture of reasonableness,” even though they could amount to several million dollars.
