Tag: Legal
Random Zelda Fan Jailed For Carrying Small Master Sword Replica
"It is possible to find fidget toys that aren't six-inch blades"
In The Legend of Zelda franchise, finding and carrying the legendary Master Sword is perhaps one of the most important tasks you'll need to accomplish to defeat evil and save the land of Hyrule. For one individual, however, carrying a replica Master Sword around in real life has led to...
News Nintendo Files Two New Lawsuits In Continued Clamp Down On Switch Piracy
The quest continues
Nintendo is continuing to clamp down on Switch piracy this week by filing two brand-new lawsuits (thanks, TorrentFreak). The first of these targets Modded Hardware, a group that has been on Nintendo's radar for a few months now — and with a name like that, you can imagine why. Run by Ryan Daly (aka "Hombrew Homie", apparently)...
News Nintendo Live Suspect Admits To Threats, Blames Being A Sore Loser
"When I kept losing, I became increasingly frustrated"
The suspect accused of sending threats to Nintendo and attending audiences during the now-cancelled Nintendo Live event in Tokyo earlier this year has now admitted to the charges (thanks, Splatoon Torikara). What's more, when explaining the motive behind his threats, the 27-year-old indiv
News Nintendo Files DMCA Against Fan-Made 'Rhythm Heaven' Remix Software
Wubbadubbadub izzat true?
Nintendo has filed a DMCA takedown against fan-made software 'Heaven Studio', a tool which enabled people to upload their own music and pair it with one of the rhythm-based minigames from the Rhythm Heaven series. As reported by TorrentFreak (thanks, VGC), the Heaven Studio GitHub repository has been removed following...
Random Welp, Now Nintendo's Going After Sheet Music
DMCA'd
It should come as no surprise that Nintendo is pretty protective regarding its IP. Going after emulators, ROM hacks, and reproductions is one thing, but it looks like the firm is starting to aim its sights on something rather surprising: sheet music. According to two separate community posts on YouTube, it seems like Nintendo is looking to...
News Nintendo Issues Multiple DMCAs On The Modding Site 'GameBanana'
Smash Bros. Ultimate and Zelda: TOTK targeted
Nintendo has seemingly issued multiple DMCA takedowns against mods hosted on the community site GameBanana. As member 'Waikuteru' highlighted, more than 60 separate DMCA takedowns have been issued over just a few days with 40 directed at them specifically, rendering their GameBanana profile empty of mod...
News Nintendo Hacker Gary Bowser Says Conviction Was "A Blessing"
"Life is path of choices, I made the wrong one"
Gary Bowser, the infamous figure who was convicted for his role with Team Xecuter in facilitating piracy of Nintendo games, has recently spoken to UNILAD to state that he sees his arrest and subsequent conviction as "a blessing". Alongside serving 14 of his 30-month prison sentence, Bowser was...
News Switch "Joy-Con Drift" Class Action Lawsuit Dismissed After Five Years
Five years of effort ended "with a whimper"
Throughout the lifespan of the Nintendo Switch, there has been all sorts of controversy surrounding Joy-Con controller drift. As the generation winds down, it looks like "5 years of efforts" to sue Nintendo over "Joy-Con drift" issues have now come to an end. As highlighted by Game File reporter Stephen...
News Creators Of New Switch Emulator 'Suyu' Hope To Avoid Nintendo's Wrath
"Suyu currently exists in a legal gray area"
Earlier this month, the Switch emulator Yuzu was shut down in response to a legal push from Nintendo. It wasn't all that surprising given the Big-N's historic protection of its properties and disapproval of unsanctioned emulation, and equally unsurprising is that a new Switch emulator is already stepping...
Reaction Nintendo's Switch Emulator Fallout Is Shocking Only Because It Took This Long
Emulator action
Well, that was quick... But also slow. That Nintendo would take action against programs that circumvent security and open up obvious avenues to playing Switch games without having purchased them is entirely unsurprising given the platform holder's historic 'emulation is piracy' stance. But the speed with which Tropic Haze, the...
News Switch Emulator Yuzu To Pay $2.4 Million To Nintendo & Cease Development
3DS emulator Citra to also shut down
Tropic Haze, the creators of the Switch emulator Yuzu, have agreed to pay Nintendo USD $2.4 million in damages as well as shut down the emulator for the hybrid console, along with the 3DS emulator Citra. This news comes just a week after Nintendo filed a lawsuit against the creators, and around a day after Tropic...
News Nintendo Sets Its Sights On Switch Emulator Yuzu In New Lawsuit
It wants "a shutdown of the emulator"
Nintendo has always had an incredibly strong stance against video game piracy and it's now taking legal action against the creators of the Switch emulator Yuzu. As highlighted by Stephen Totilo of Game File, the Japanese video game giant known for hits like Super Mario and
News Hacker Gary Bowser Discusses Post-Jail Life And Chipping Away At Nintendo's $14m
"I’ll pay them what I can"
Notorious figure Gary Bowser, who was convicted in 2022 for his role in criminal activity involving piracy of Nintendo games, has talked about his current circumstances, including struggles to pay electric and medical bills in the time since his early release from prison. Speaking to Patricia Hernandez for The Guardian,...
News Nintendo Hacker Gary Bowser Says He's "Not Involved" With New Switch Flash Cart
Plot twist!
A new flash cart marketed as "the only back-up and development device" for all Switch consoles was recently teased and in a surprise plot twist, it's now led to the infamous Nintendo hacker Gary Bowser denying his involvement with the project. The former Team-Xecuter member, who was previously jailed and fined $10 million in damages,...
News Disgruntled Switch Fans File Class Action Lawsuit Over KOTOR II DLC Cancellation
Aspyr gave Switch owners a free game instead
Earlier this year in June, developer Aspyr announced it would no longer be releasing "The Sith Lords" DLC for the Nintendo Switch version of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II. Instead of refunds, it offered a free Star Wars game. In response to this, a group of Star Wars loving Switch fans in the...
News The GameCube And Wii Emulator Dolphin Is No Longer Coming To Steam
"We are abandoning our efforts"
The team behind GameCube and Wii emulator Dolphin has announced it is "abandoning" its efforts to release the product on Steam. Valve's requirement is for the Dolphin team "to get approval from Nintendo" for a Steam release, and this is believed to be "impossible". "Valve ultimately runs the store and can set any...
News After Heaps Of Legal Drama, Devil Engine Gets Its Own Physical Edition On Switch
Game's composer isn't happy
You might remember back in 2020 and 2021, there was a boatload of legal drama surrounding the rather brilliant shmup Devil Engine, whereby the game's artist and composer - siblings Thomas and Joseph Bailey - had claimed that developer Tristan Chapman (known on Twitter as 'Sinoc229') had been utilising their respective...
News Sonic Co-Creator Yuji Naka Found Guilty Of Insider Trading
Receives suspended sentence and huge fine
The former Square Enix and Sega developer Yuji Naka has now been sentenced to two years and six months in prison, with a probation period of four years. He's also received fines of two million and 171 million yen. Website and social media account 'SEGAbits' shared a bit more detail about this based on a...
News Activision CEO Made 'A Bad Judgement' In Not Supporting The Nintendo Switch More
Console has sold more than 125 million units
During day four of what is already proving to be a surprisingly gripping trial relating to Microsoft's planned acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Activision CEO Bobby Kotick took to the stand and stated his deep regret in not supporting the Nintendo Switch more over the course of its lifespan so far. As...
News PlayStation Boss Doesn't Think Call Of Duty Appeals To Nintendo's Core Audience
You know, the fans who enjoy "Mario and Zelda"
As part of the Activision Blizzard acquisition, Microsoft's aim is to bring Call of Duty to as many platforms as possible. This includes Nintendo's devices, with a 10-year legal agreement already penned. The only thing Xbox has got to overcome first is the FTC and Sony's attempts to block the deal. The...
News The FTC Doesn't Seem To Think Switch Is A Serious PlayStation & Xbox Competitor
Microsoft's Phil Spencer says it's "incorrect"
Microsoft is currently locked in a courtroom battle with the Federal Trade Commission over its proposed $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, and although the focus is mostly on Xbox, on day two of the proceedings, the Nintendo Switch has already been dragged into the fight. According to The...
News Valve Confirms It Contacted Nintendo About Dolphin Emulator Coming To Steam
"We brought this to their attention proactively"
Towards the end of May, the team behind Dolphin Emulator revealed its release on Steam had been "indefinitely postponed" after it was contacted by Valve. Valve spokesperson Kaci Aitchison Boyle has now issued a statement (via The Verge), confirming Valve originally reached out to Nintendo: Given...
News Sonic Co-Creator Yuji Naka Could Face Over Two Years In Prison
Veteran developer admitted to insider trading
Former Sega and Square Enix developer Yuji Naka could face a prison term of two years and six months in relation to the insider trading trial held in Tokyo, Japan, as reported by denfaminicogamer (thanks, Time Extension). In addition, Naka may be fined 2.5 million JPY along with a surcharge
News Dolphin Emulator Steam Release "Indefinitely Postponed"
Update: Nintendo responds with statement
Update #3 [Sat 3rd Jun, 2023 01:35 BST]: Valve spokesperson Kaci Aitchison Boyle has now issued a statement (via The Verge), noting how Valve was the one to inform Nintendo: Given Nintendo’s history of taking action against some emulators, we brought this to their attention proactively after the Dolphin...
News Mario Kart Tour Lawsuit Calls Out "Immoral" Lootbox Gacha System
The pipe has backfired
At the end of last year, Nintendo removed the gacha elements from its mobile racing game, Mario Kart Tour. It replaced this system where players would "fire" a pipe to receive a random item with a 'Spotlight Shop'. Although the item system has already been updated, Axios reports a young gamer (with approval from his father)...
News Switch Android Emulator Skyline Halts Development Due To "Potential Legal Risks"
Nintendo apparently issues DMCA takedown for Lockpick
The developers behind the popular Switch Android emulator Skyline have announced the open-source project is no longer in active development. According to a post shared on the Skyline Discord, the team apparently received a DMCA takedown notice from Nintendo. The catch here is the takedown is...
News Nintendo Hacker Gary Bowser Has Been Released From Prison
But he still has to pay $10 million in damages
Remember the Nintendo hacker Gary Bowser? In a development last February, it was revealed he had been jailed for over three years and fined close to $15 million for his involvement in Team Xecutor - a business that allowed Switch owners to hack their systems and play pirated games. In an update, the...
News Nintendo Of Europe "Has Decided To Wind Down Operations" In Russia
Update: Will "maintain a minimal presence" in the country
Update [Fri 14th Apr, 2023 11:45 BST]: Nintendo of Europe has provided a statement to Eurogamer saying that following its suspension of the eShop and officially shipping products to Russia in 2022, it "has decided to wind down operations of its Russian subsidiary". Noting the current...
News Yuji Naka Appears To Admit Guilt Over Insider Trading Case
Trial now in session at Tokyo District Court
Yuki Naka, the former head of Sonic Team, is now standing trial at the Tokyo District Court over charges of insider trading after an investigation at Square Enix. The creator had allegedly invested in development companies based on information gained prior to it being made publically available, thus...
News Arrest Made In Japan After Nintendo Executive Receives Death Threats
"Die Nintendo!"
Video game companies have to deal with a lot of things behind the scenes, and one story that's recently come to light isn't pleasant at all. According to a translation by Nintendo Everything, Japanese media outlet Kyoto Shimbun reports the arrest of a "36-year-old female permatemp on suspicion of intimidation" on 9th February 2023...
News Nintendo Wins "Switch Joy-Con Drift" Class Action Lawsuit
Drift? What drift?
Remember a story we ran about some parents in the US who were trying to get their kids to sue Nintendo over "Joy-Con drift" in a class action lawsuit? Well, it seems the video game giant has come out on top. In November last year, a federal judge ruled in favour of Nintendo in the 'Sanchez et. al. v. Nintendo of America' case...
News Yuji Naka Has Now Been Formally Indicted Over Insider Trading Offenses
Developer was previously arrested twice
Update [Wed 28th Dec, 2022 12:15 GMT]: Following on from the arrests of Sonic co-creator Yuji Naka and former Square Enix employee Taisuke Sazaki, the two have now been formally indicted over alleged insider trading offenses. As reported by NHK (thanks, VGC), the two were charged for conducting insider...
News Cooking Mama IP Holder Sues Planet Entertainment For Sale Of Cooking Mama: Cookstar
Mama is not happy!
Remember the ongoing dispute between Cooking Mama: Cookstar publisher Planet Entertainment and the series' rights holder Office Create dating back to 2020? Well, in an update, Planet has now been sued by Office Create. There was actually a fallout between the two parties before the game's release in 2020, but Planet Entertainment...
News UK Government Warns It "Will Not Hesitate To Consider Legislation" Against Loot Boxes
"Video games companies and platforms must do more"
Loot boxes have long been a contentious topic of conversation in the gaming industry, and the UK government has warned companies that restrictive legislation may be enforced in the future if the culture surrounding these purchases doesn't change. The Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport...
News Nintendo Is Suing The Fashion Retailer That Used To Run Its Russian Store
"World of Nintendo" turned from prime e-store to landing page
Nintendo’s Russian branch has filed a claim to the Moscow Court of Arbitration against KupiVip, a retailer which operated Nintendo’s now-defunct flagship online store in the country. The company submitted claims totalling around 963,500 rubles (approx. $16,800), according to the...
News "What Do I Care?" - Nintendo Hacking Mastermind Defiant As Colleague Bowser Is Jailed
Max Louarn remains unapologetic
In the wake of Nintendo hacker Gary Bowser being sentenced to three years in jail for his contribution to Team Xecuter's hacking efforts, the mastermind behind the whole operation remains seemingly defiant and unapologetic. Max Louarn, alleged leader of Team Xecuter, has a long history with hacking and apparently...
News Nintendo Admits It Released A New Model Of The Switch To Fight Piracy
A "direct result" of hackers "attacking... technological protection measures"
Last year, Nintendo was successful in securing a jail term for Team Xecutor member Gary Bowser, who was accused of causing the Japanese company to lose millions of dollars via the piracy-enabling devices and software he sold. Court documents are now available which fill...
News Gary Bowser Jail Term Intended To "Send A Message" To Other Switch Hackers
"This is a very significant moment for us"
Team Xecutor member Gary Bowser was recently jailed for three years and fined almost $15 million for his part in a business which enabled Switch owners to hack their systems and play pirated games, and recently-unearthed court documents – dug up by Axios (thanks,
News Now Parents Are Getting Their Kids To Sue Nintendo Over Joy-Con Drift
Lawyer, leave those kids alone?
Another class-action lawsuit against Nintendo over Joy-Con drift is being proposed in North America, but this case hinges on the question of whether or not two kids can sue the Japanese giant. Lawyers for families suing Nintendo in the case 'Sanchez et. al. v. Nintendo of America' claim that an arbitrator has ruled...
News Activision Blizzard Hit With New Harassment And Discrimination Lawsuit
"700 reported incidents occurring under CEO Robert Kotick’s watch"
Activision Blizzard has been hit with a fresh lawsuit that claims the company's "frat boy" environment has allowed 700 reported incidents of sexual harassment and discrimination. The suit has been filed by Attorney Lisa Bloom in the Los Angeles County Superior Court on behalf of a...
News Report Claims Russia Has "Effectively Legalised Piracy" To Overcome Western Sanctions
A blind eye could be turned to video game piracy in the country
A new report is claiming that Russia is seeking to change its laws on piracy in an attempt to overcome the growing problem of foreign companies boycotting the nation in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine. Nintendo, Sony and
"I will stop him breathing"
A senior developer at Microsoft has been sentenced to a one-year community corrections order with a requirement that he perform 100 hours of unpaid work after he was found guilty of unlawfully assaulting his son after the 7-year-old refused to stop playing on his Nintendo Switch. 41-year-old Nicholas Lester, the court...
News Take A Look Inside The Tiny Apartment Of The Man Who Owes Nintendo $14 Million
"Mr. Bowser lived a modest life in a modest apartment"
Last week, former Team Xecutor member Gary Bowser was sentenced to more than three years in prison in addition to paying Nintendo a combined total of $14,500,000 for damages related to piracy. However, images taken at his home in the Dominican Republic (thanks, Vice) show he was leading an...
News Nintendo Hacker Gary Bowser Sentenced To Three Years In Jail
On top of $15m in fines
Gary Bowser, the leader of Switch hacking group Team Xecuter, has been sentenced to 40 months in jail for piracy. The official charges are "Conspiracy to Circumvent Technological Measures and to Traffic in Circumvention Devices" and "Trafficking in Circumvention Devices", both of which are federal felonies in the United...
News US Government Wants Nintendo Hacker Gary Bowser Locked Up For Five Years
"To provide just punishment"
Nintendo hacker Gary Bowser – who, as part of the infamous Team Xecuter, distributed hardware and software that allowed people to run pirated games on their Switch consoles – should serve five years in jail, the US government is arguing. The proposed sentence is found in court documents relating to Bower's ongoing...
BT, Virgin, Sky, TalkTalk and others must now block ROM-sharing sites
Nintendo has obtained a UK High Court injunction against six internet service providers in an effort to stop Switch games from being downloaded illegally. The injunction means that six UK-based ISPs – BT, EE, Plusnet, Sky, TalkTalk and Virgin Media – must now block access to...
News Ouch! Nintendo Hacker Gary Bowser Hit With Additional $10 Million Fine
He's already $4.5 million down and facing possible jail time
Remember Gary Bowser? He shares his name with Mario's greatest foe (and Nintendo of America's current president), but he's been something of an enemy of Nintendo in general over the past few years. Bowser is a member of Team Xecutor, one of the world's most "notorious videogame piracy...
News Switch Hacking Group Leader Gary Bowser Agrees To Pay Nintendo $4.5 Million
Bowser pleads guilty on two charges
No, thankfully this Bowser wasn't to blame... A member of Team Xecuter, a piracy group known for exploiting vulnerabilities in video game consoles as well as marketing and selling Nintendo hacks, has agreed to waive his right to be tried before a jury and has pleaded guilty to two charges. Gary Bowser, who was...
News Nintendo's Lawyers Strike Again, This Time Against A Mario NFT Gambling Game
Project rep fights back against "Nintendo simps"
Here we see a visual representation of Nintendo fighting off copyright infringement cases on a daily basis. An unofficial game project which used Super Mario assets to promote an NFT-based gambling platform has attracted the attention of Nintendo, so we all know what happens next. As reported by...
News Hand-Drawn Game Guide Kickstarter Taken Down Following "Legal Trouble"
Update #2: "We did not receive a cease and desist"
Cor, look at 'em Update #2: Phillip Summers has taken to Twitter to clarify some reporting around the cancellation of the Hand-Drawn Game Guide Kickstarter campaign. He states that "the party involved has been polite and I'm hopeful something can get worked out. They have every right to act as they...
