Shock Alert: Nintendo Switch Modder Faces $2 Million Fine in Groundbreaking Piracy Lawsuit!

Nintendo recently scored a legal victory against piracy. A Washington District Court judge ordered Ryan Daley to pay the company $2 million for selling modified Switch consoles on his website, Modded Hardware.

In a copyright lawsuit, Nintendo accused Daley of selling devices that allow users to play pirated games. These devices included modchips and flash cartridges that bypass the console’s security. Nintendo argued that Daley’s actions caused them significant harm, and the judge agreed. The ruling emphasized that these products enable widespread game piracy.

This case is not isolated. Nintendo has ramped up its legal efforts against piracy in recent years. Earlier this year, they successfully took action against a site hosting pirated games, and they have shut down popular Switch emulators like Yuzu and Ryujinx. The company even threatened to “brick” modded Switch 2 consoles, which means rendering them unusable.

Interestingly, piracy laws can seem stricter today. According to a 2021 survey by the Entertainment Software Association, 26% of gamers admitted to purchasing or using pirated games at some point. This highlights the ongoing battle between game companies and piracy.

Daley, who represented himself in court, is now prohibited from modding any Switch consoles and using devices that bypass security measures. Furthermore, all of his potentially infringing devices will be seized or destroyed.

This case reflects a broader trend in the gaming industry where companies are increasingly taking legal action to protect their intellectual property. As gaming evolves, so do the methods to combat piracy, making it clear that the struggle between creators and piracy isn’t going away anytime soon. For more information about this topic, you can check the detailed ruling on Engadget.

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