Nintendo Wins In UK High Court Case To Block Switch Piracy Websites

If you’re trying to get away with pirated Switch software in the UK, your fun may come to an abrupt end soon.

According to new ruling by the UK high court, five major ISPs (Sky, BT, EE, Talktalk and Virgin Media) are now required to block four websites that enabled Nintendo Switch piracy. While unnamed, the four websites in question were known for distributing pirated Switch games, modified hardware, and spreading information on how to crack the Switch for piracy reasons.

According to Eurogamer, a Nintendo spokesperson commented on the favorable ruling as follows:

“Today, the UK High Court found the sale and distribution of ‘circumvention’ devices for the Nintendo Switch unlawful…Nintendo is pleased that the UK High Court has confirmed that dealing in devices or software that enable piracy on Nintendo Switch systems is unlawful.”

“This decision will help protect the UK games industry and the more than 1800 developers worldwide that create games for the Nintendo Switch platform, and who rely on legitimate sales of games for their livelihood and to keep bringing quality content to gamers.”

The legal victory marks yet another chapter in Nintendo’s long and fierce battle against piracy. Earlier this year, Nintendo also succeeded in taking down several ROM sites in China with Tencent’s help. Back in 2018, Nintendo also succeeded in basically crippling the piracy site LoveROMs with a $12 million settlement.

It’s anybody’s guess where Nintendo will take its ongoing crusade against piracy next. We’ll report back whenever we hear more.