Reddit moderator who bragged about pirating Nintendo Switch games now owes Nintendo £3.4 million
US District Judge Lauren King ordered Reddit moderator James Archbox Williams to pay $4.5 million in damages to Nintendo. Williams operated shops that sold pirated Nintendo Switch software and tools to hack consoles. The court issued the ruling after Williams ignored the lawsuit and failed to appear in court. Along with the financial penalty, the judge imposed a permanent injunction requiring Williams to shut down all websites used to distribute unauthorized games.
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- ✓ US District Judge Lauren King ordered James Archbox Williams to pay $4.5 million in damages.
- ✓ Williams ran shops distributing pirated Nintendo Switch software and console-hacking tools.
- ✓ The court issued a permanent injunction forcing Williams to close all websites distributing unauthorized games.
- ✓ Nintendo has sold nearly 150 million Switches since 2017.
What changed
No new material facts were provided in the latest source material to update the existing case details.
Live updates
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Nintendo wins $4.5 million judgment against Reddit moderator for piracy
US District Judge Lauren King ordered Reddit moderator James Archbox Williams to pay $4.5 million in damages to Nintendo. Williams operated shops that sold pirated Nintendo Switch software and tools to hack consoles. The court issued the ruling after Williams ignored the lawsuit and failed to appear in court. Along with the financial penalty, the judge imposed a permanent injunction requiring Williams to shut down all websites used to distribute unauthorized games.
Why it matters
Nintendo has sold nearly 150 million Switch consoles since 2017. The company is aggressively protecting its intellectual property as the market anticipates a successor console.
What is confirmed
- US District Judge Lauren King ordered James Archbox Williams to pay $4.5 million in damages.
- Williams ran shops distributing pirated Nintendo Switch software and console-hacking tools.
- The court issued a permanent injunction forcing Williams to close all websites distributing unauthorized games.
- Nintendo has sold nearly 150 million Switches since 2017.
What to watch next
- Evidence of Williams complying with the permanent injunction to close websites
- Confirmation of payment or appeals regarding the $4.5 million judgment
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (5)
- www.nytimes.com — Sudoku - New York Times Number Puzzles — The New York Times
- en.wikipedia.org — 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine - Wikipedia
- en.wikipedia.org — Madden NFL - Wikipedia
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- supernews.co.id — Moderator Reddit Didenda Rp 80 Miliar Usai Jual Game Switch ...
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Reddit Moderator Owes Nintendo Millions for Piracy
Reddit moderator James Archbox Williams owes Nintendo approximately £3.4 million after being ordered to pay $4.5 million in damages for running shops that distributed pirated Nintendo Switch software and console-hacking tools. US District Judge Lauren King issued the ruling because Williams failed to appear and ignored the lawsuit. The judge also issued a permanent injunction forcing Williams to close all websites distributing unauthorized games. Nintendo has sold nearly 150 million Switches since 2017, and speculation surrounds the company's next console.
Why it matters
Nintendo remains a dominant force in the modern console market with nearly 150 million Switches sold since its 2017 launch. The company aggressively protects its intellectual property, which includes characters like Mario, Link, and Samus. Unauthorized distribution networks and piracy tools undermine the commercial ecosystem of the platform.
What is confirmed
- James 'Archbox' Williams was ordered to pay Nintendo $4.5 million in damages, which equates to approximately £3.4 million.
- US District Judge Lauren King issued the ruling after Williams ignored the lawsuit and failed to appear.
- The ruling includes a permanent injunction requiring Williams to shut down all websites involved in distributing unauthorized games and hacking software.
- Nintendo has sold nearly 150 million Switches since 2017.
Still unconfirmed
- Nintendo's next console is rumored to launch in 2025.
What to watch next
- Compliance with the permanent injunction by James Williams to shut down all pirate distribution websites
- Any further legal actions or asset collection steps taken by Nintendo against Williams
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (7)
- kotaku.com — Nintendo - Kotaku
- gonintendo.com — Category: Top Stories - GoNintendo
- www.metacritic.com — New Games on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2
- stockanalysis.com — Nintendo (NTDOY) Stock Price & Overview
- mashable.com — Reddit deprecates r/all in major home page shakeup | Mashable
- comicbook.com — $40 Nintendo Switch Games Now Available for $3 on eShop
- en.wikipedia.org — Splatoon - Wikipedia
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Reddit moderator owes Nintendo £3.4 million for pirating Switch games
A Reddit moderator, James 'Archbox' Williams, has been ordered to pay Nintendo $4.5 million in damages for operating shops that distributed pirated Nintendo Switch games and software required to hack the consoles. The US District Judge Lauren King issued the ruling after Williams ignored the lawsuit and failed to appear. This equates to approximately £3.4 million. Along with the financial penalty, the judge granted a permanent injunction requiring Williams to shut down all websites involved in the distribution of unauthorized games.
Why it matters
This case highlights Nintendo's efforts to protect its intellectual property and combat piracy. The company has been actively pursuing legal action against individuals and groups involved in distributing pirated games and hacking software. The ruling also serves as a warning to others who may be involved in similar activities.
What is confirmed
- James 'Archbox' Williams was ordered to pay $4.5 million in damages to Nintendo.
- Williams operated shops that distributed pirated Nintendo Switch games and software required to hack the consoles.
- The US District Judge Lauren King issued a permanent injunction requiring Williams to shut down all websites involved in the distribution of unauthorized games.
What to watch next
- Nintendo's future actions against other individuals or groups involved in piracy
- The outcome of any potential appeal by Williams
- The effectiveness of the permanent injunction in shutting down pirated game distribution websites
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (5)
- simple.wikipedia.org — Reddit - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- supernews.co.id — Nintendo Menang Gugatan Rp 80 Miliar Lawan Moderator Reddit ...
- comicbook.com — $40 Nintendo Switch Games Now Available for $2 on eShop
- en.wikipedia.org — 3 Idiots - Wikipedia
- screenrant.com — Nintendo Fans, Start Saving Now (Holiday 2026 Preview)
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Washington Court Orders Reddit Moderator to Pay Nintendo $4.5 Million
US District Judge Lauren King ordered Reddit moderator James "Archbox" Williams to pay Nintendo $4.5 million in damages following a default judgment on September 23. Williams operated shops that distributed pirated Nintendo Switch games and the software required to hack the consoles. The court issued the ruling after Williams ignored the lawsuit and failed to appear. Along with the financial penalty, the judge granted a permanent injunction requiring Williams to shut down all websites involved in the distribution of unauthorized games.
Why it matters
Nintendo initiated the legal action in October 2025 to combat intellectual property theft. The case targets the systemic distribution of piracy tools and software via online communities. This ruling establishes a significant financial penalty for moderators who facilitate the spread of hacked console software.
What is confirmed
- US District Judge Lauren King ordered James Williams to pay Nintendo $4.5 million in damages.
- Nintendo filed the initial lawsuit in October 2025.
- The court granted a default judgment because Williams ignored the lawsuit and failed to appear.
- The judgment includes a permanent injunction requiring the shutdown of websites distributing unauthorized games.
- Williams used his position as a Reddit moderator to spread pirated Switch games and hacking software.
What to watch next
- Evidence of payment or assets seized to satisfy the $4.5 million judgment
- Appeals filed by James Williams against the default judgment
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (10)
- www.glitched.online — Reddit Moderator Who Spread Pirated Switch Games to Pay Nintendo $4.5 Million
- redditinc.com — Reddit Inc Homepage
- en.wikipedia.org — Reddit - Wikipedia
- mashable.com — Reddit News, Trends, Reviews, & More | Mashable
- play.google.com — Reddit - Apps on Google Play
- redditinc.com — Support - Reddit
- www.techpowerup.com — Court Orders Reddit Moderator to Pay Nintendo $4.5 Million ...
- kotaku.com — My Fav Chill Streamer Dies a Million Times
- www.cryovex.com — Reddit Moderator Ordered to Pay Nintendo $4.5 Million for ...
- sgbuzz.com — Switch Pirate Ignored Nintendo’s Lawsuit, Now He Owes $4.5 ...
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Nintendo Wins $4.5M Lawsuit Against Reddit Mod
A United States court has ordered James Williams, a Reddit moderator known as Archbox, to pay Nintendo $4.5 million in damages for running Switch piracy shops and promoting intellectual property theft. Williams ignored the lawsuit and failed to make a court appearance, resulting in a default judgment. Nintendo initially filed the lawsuit in October 2025. The judgment requires the former moderator to shut down any websites associated with the distribution of unauthorized games.
Why it matters
Nintendo has a long-standing history of aggressively protecting its intellectual property against copyright infringement and piracy networks. This default judgment concludes a high-profile legal battle against a community moderator who openly bragged about stealing and selling unauthorized Switch software. The penalty emphasizes the severe financial consequences awaiting individuals who distribute pirated console games online.
What is confirmed
- A US court has ordered former Reddit moderator James Williams, also known as Archbox, to pay Nintendo $4.5 million in damages.
- Nintendo filed the lawsuit against the Reddit moderator in October 2025 for running Switch piracy shops and promoting intellectual property theft.
- The default judgment was issued after Williams ignored the lawsuit and failed to appear in court.
What to watch next
- Any response or appeal from James Williams regarding the default judgment
- Confirmation that the associated piracy websites have been shut down
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (12)
- www.cnet.com — Sony Will Pay Out $7.85 Million in PlayStation Store Credit. How to Claim Part of the Settlement
- www.ign.com — Nintendo Wins $4.5 Million From Reddit Mod Who Sold Pirated Switch Games
- Aftermath — Nintendo Wins $4.5M In Switch Pirate Lawsuit
- Nintendo Wire — Court awards $4.5 million in damages to Nintendo in case against Reddit moderator ‘Archbox’
- TechPowerUp — Court Orders Reddit Moderator to Pay Nintendo $4.5 Million Over Switch Piracy
- Eurogamer.net — Reddit moderator who bragged about pirating Nintendo Switch games now owes Nintendo £3.4 million
- Video Games Chronicle — Court orders Reddit moderator who widely pirated Switch games to pay Nintendo $4.5 million in damages
- www.polygon.com — Reddit moderator has to pay Nintendo $4.5M after lawsuit
- www.eurogamer.net — Reddit moderator who bragged about pirating Nintendo Switch ...
- www.thegamer.com — Nintendo Wins $4.5 Million Switch Pirate Lawsuit Against ...
- www.yahoo.com — Switch Pirate Ignored Nintendo’s Lawsuit, Now He Owes $4.5 ...
- www.yahoo.com — Nintendo Wins $4.5 Million Piracy Lawsuit Against Subreddit ...
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