In a lawsuit filed by Nintendo of America against James Williams, also known as “Archbox,” for operating a website that distributed pirated Switch games, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington issued a ruling on September 23 ordering him to pay $4.5 million (approximately 710 million yen) in damages.
Ruling in a Lawsuit That Has Been Ongoing Since 2024
Nintendo of America had previously filed a lawsuit against Williams in June 2024, alleging that he was the key figure behind the operation and management of multiple pirated distribution sites. A total of four sites were targeted in the lawsuit.
According to a 2024 report by the international media outlet Game File, Nintendo investigated online posts made under the name “Archbox.” The company reportedly linked this user to a Nintendo account under the name Williams and confirmed his address using repair service records.
Subsequently, Mr. Williams failed to respond as required in the lawsuit, and in October 2025, Nintendo filed a petition seeking $4.5 million in damages and an injunction against the distribution of pirated products; this latest ruling has effectively upheld those demands.
AftermathAccording to an article published on September 24, 2026, the ruling not only ordered $4.5 million in damages but also mandated the blocking of access to the pirated distribution shop operated and managed by Williams. Furthermore, court records confirm that the distribution of pirated games and software designed to circumvent copy protection was prohibited, and that social media accounts used for distribution were also subject to suspension.
Furthermore, Nintendo recently won lawsuits against a French file-sharing company accused of illegally storing pirated software on its servers, as well as a lawsuit in the U.S. concerning the distribution of pirated games. And now, this case—which has spanned approximately two years since the lawsuit was filed in 2024 and centered on involvement with four shops—has also reached a conclusion.
