A federal judge has awarded Nintendo of America $4.5 million in statutory damages against James C. Williams, known online as “archbox,” in a default judgment over Nintendo Switch game piracy.
In a September 23 order, U.S. District Judge Lauren King granted Nintendo’s motion for default judgment and a permanent injunction. The award is based on $150,000—the statutory maximum for willful infringement—for each of 30 copyrighted games identified in Nintendo’s complaint.
Nintendo sued Williams in June 2024, alleging that he promoted and operated online shops offering pirated Nintendo Switch games and circumvention software. The complaint also described him as a leading moderator of the SwitchPirates Reddit community. Williams did not appear or defend the lawsuit after being served, so the court treated the complaint’s well-pleaded factual allegations as true, except those concerning the amount of damages.
The injunction requires Williams to disable access to any pirate shops he controls and to close related social media accounts, communications platforms and other channels used to distribute unauthorized Nintendo games or circumvention tools. It also bars him from assisting similar activity in the future.
The Verge and Aftermath separately reported the judgment after the order was issued.
Do you think the permanent injunction will have a wider effect on Nintendo Switch piracy operations?
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