Nintendo is seeking $4.5 million in damages from a Reddit moderator accused of operating multiple piracy hubs for Switch games.
TLDR:
- Nintendo has filed a $4.5 million lawsuit against Reddit user James “Archbox” Williams
- Williams is accused of running piracy websites and promoting pirated Switch games
- The lawsuit claims he ignored cease-and-desist requests and deleted incriminating posts
- Nintendo says the requested damages are conservative and do not fully cover its losses
What Happened?
Nintendo has taken legal action against James C. Williams, known online as “Archbox,” a Reddit moderator accused of being a central figure in the piracy of Nintendo Switch games. The company is demanding $4.5 million in damages, alleging Williams operated online platforms to distribute pirated games and devices used for game piracy.
Reddit moderator sued by Nintendo for $4.5 million
— Pirat_Nation 🔴 (@Pirat_Nation) October 5, 2025
Nintendo is suing Reddit moderator Archbox for $4.5 million in damages for operating multiple Switch piracy sites. pic.twitter.com/EVF3tsmKm9
Nintendo Takes Aim at Piracy Through the Courts
Nintendo’s latest lawsuit escalates its ongoing battle against piracy. According to the company’s court filings, Williams played a leading role in several so-called “pirate shops” and actively promoted them within Reddit’s SwitchPirates subreddit, which has over 238,000 members. Nintendo argues that Williams distributed pirated games, sold modified consoles, and provided technical support to users attempting to hack their systems.
The lawsuit accuses Williams of:
- Creating and operating multiple piracy websites
- Advertising and offering pirated Switch games
- Selling or supporting modified Nintendo Switch consoles
- Asking for eShop gift card donations in exchange for piracy assistance
Nintendo says its internal investigation helped connect Williams to these activities. In one case, he allegedly used a personal email address linked to his Reddit account. At another point, Williams reportedly sent his own Switch console to Nintendo for repair, helping them confirm his identity.
The court documents also describe Williams as a “self-proclaimed Nintendo pirate,” citing thousands of Reddit messages where he directed users to piracy resources. Despite a cease-and-desist letter sent in March 2024, Nintendo claims he became uncooperative and denied involvement, later deleting content that might suggest his role in the piracy operations.
Nintendo Argues $4.5M Is Not Enough
In its filing, Nintendo acknowledges that the $4.5 million figure is not based on exact losses but was modeled after similar high-profile lawsuits involving intellectual property infringement. The company states:
The amount of money sufficient to remedy NOA’s injury would be extremely difficult to quantify; but it is indisputable that such amount would be large.
Nintendo also chose not to pursue additional damages it was entitled to, such as legal fees or statutory fines under the DMCA. It emphasized that this was a reasonable approach, despite the significant harm it believes Williams caused.
The legal action is part of a broader crackdown by Nintendo on piracy. This year alone, Nintendo successfully forced the shutdown of emulators like Yuzu and Citra, and it is currently engaged in legal disputes with the developers of Palworld. The company has also pursued individual pirates and hardware hackers, including high-profile cases where it collaborated with federal authorities.
What TechKV Thinks?
I think this case shows just how serious Nintendo is about protecting its games and hardware. A $4.5 million lawsuit against a Reddit mod might seem extreme, but it’s clearly meant to send a message. Nintendo has always been aggressive in defending its intellectual property, and honestly, they rarely lose in court. From shutting down emulators to chasing down modders, they are making it clear that piracy will come with real consequences. If you’re part of any community that even touches piracy, this lawsuit should be a big warning sign.
