Nintendo Secures $4.5M Default Judgment Against Former Reddit Moderator Archbox

Key points

• The US District Court for the Western District of Washington awarded Nintendo $4.5 million in damages against James Williams, aka 'Archbox,' in a default judgment issued on September 23, 2026.
• Williams failed to respond to the lawsuit filed in June 2024, despite having hired an attorney to contest a separate Google subpoena, leading the court to treat Nintendo's allegations as true.
• The court issued a permanent injunction barring Williams from selling pirated Switch games, piracy-assisting software, or modded consoles, and ordered him to close all associated online shops and social media accounts.
• Nintendo alleged that Williams operated multiple 'Pirate Shops' and served as the lead moderator for the r/SwitchPirates subreddit, soliciting eShop gift card donations to fund the distribution of pirated titles.
• The $4.5 million figure is based on the statutory maximum of $150,000 per title for 30 specific Nintendo Switch games, including The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

Background

This ruling is part of Nintendo's ongoing legal strategy to combat piracy, following previous high-profile cases against the Yuzu emulator team and other individuals like Gary Bowser. In September 2026, Nintendo also secured a ruling in the Netherlands against digital storefronts selling modding kits for pirated games. The current case highlights the company's aggressive pursuit of individuals who facilitate the distribution of unauthorized game copies, even when the defendants do not actively contest the legal proceedings.

How outlets are covering it

All four sources agree on the core facts: the $4.5 million award, the default judgment status, and the injunction against Williams. Nintendo Wire and TechPowerUp emphasize the specific statutory calculation of $150,000 per title across 30 games. Aftermath provides additional context on how Nintendo identified Williams through a hardware repair account and notes that the r/SwitchPirates subreddit remains active without Williams as a moderator. Engadget highlights the ease of the win for Nintendo due to Williams' non-response. There is no disagreement among the outlets regarding the outcome or the legal basis of the judgment.

Why it matters

The case underscores the legal risks for individuals operating piracy networks, even if they do not actively contest lawsuits. The default judgment sets a precedent that non-response to copyright infringement claims can result in maximum statutory damages. It also demonstrates Nintendo's continued use of legal tools to shut down online piracy infrastructure, including social media accounts and Discord servers, reinforcing its stance against unauthorized distribution of its software and hardware.

What to watch

Williams is required to comply with the injunction by closing all online shops and disabling accounts. The r/SwitchPirates subreddit remains active, but Williams is no longer listed as a moderator. There is no indication of an appeal from Williams, as he has not engaged with the legal process. Nintendo may continue to pursue other piracy-related cases, including those involving modded hardware and digital storefronts in Europe.