Nintendo Switch modder ordered to pay $2 million in piracy lawsuit

"In a copyright lawsuit filed last year, Nintendo accused Daley of operating the website Modded Hardware, which sold modded Switch consoles, modchips used to hack into Switch devices, and Mig flash cartridges that allow people to play pirated copies of games. Nintendo claimed Daley caused the company "significant and irreparable harm" - and the judge agreed. "The MIG Devices, Mod Chips, Hacked Consoles, and Circumvention Services allow members of the public to create, distribute, and play pirated Nintendo games on a massive scale," the ruling states."

"Piracy lawsuits from Nintendo have become increasingly common, with the company winning its case against a file-sharing site accused of hosting pirated games earlier this year. Nintendo's legal actions have led to the shutdown of Switch emulators, including Yuzu and Ryujinx. The company has also made it clear that it may brick Switch 2 consoles if players try to mod the device."

"Last week, a Washington District Court judge ordered Ryan Daley to pay Nintendo $2 million and stop selling modded Switch consoles online, as reported earlier by Engadget. Daley, who chose to fight Nintendo without a lawyer, is now banned from modding Switch consoles, as well as from using devices designed to circumvent the console's security measures. The judge also ordered the seizure, impoundment, or destruction of all devices owned by Daley that may contain copyright-infringing material."

A Washington District Court judge ordered Ryan Daley to pay Nintendo $2 million and to cease selling modded Switch consoles online. Nintendo accused Daley of operating Modded Hardware, which sold modded consoles, modchips, and Mig flash cartridges that enable playing pirated game copies. The court found that those devices and services allow large-scale creation, distribution, and play of pirated Nintendo games and agreed Nintendo suffered "significant and irreparable harm." Daley denied wrongdoing and represented himself. The judge banned Daley from modding Switch consoles or using circumvention devices and ordered seizure, impoundment, or destruction of potentially infringing devices. Nintendo has pursued other anti-piracy actions, including shutting down emulators and winning prior cases.

Read at The Verge