Yes. On September 23, 2026, a federal court awarded Nintendo of America $4.5 million in statutory damages and issued a permanent injunction against James C. Williams, whom Nintendo identified as the online alias “Archbox.” The case ended in a default judgment because Williams did not appear or defend it—not in a contested jury verdict. Read the court’s September 23, 2026 order.
Did Nintendo actually win the $4.5 million?
Yes. The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington granted Nintendo of America’s motion for default judgment on September 23, 2026, and awarded $4.5 million in statutory copyright damages. The court also entered a permanent injunction. The amount was initially requested by Nintendo; the 2026 order is what awarded it.
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The distinction matters: a default judgment is not a jury verdict after both sides contest the evidence. The court said Williams did not appear or defend the action, then considered whether Nintendo’s claims and requested relief satisfied the requirements for judgment by default. Judge Lauren King wrote, “For all of the foregoing reasons, the Court GRANTS NOA’s motion for default judgment and a permanent injunction.”
Why did the Reddit moderator get a default judgment?
Nintendo filed its complaint on June 28, 2024, in case 2:24-cv-00960. According to the court’s order, Williams did not appear or defend the lawsuit. The court evaluated the default-judgment factors and entered judgment for Nintendo on its copyright claim.
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The complaint asserted several causes of action, including copyright infringement, contributory infringement and inducement, claims under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), breach of contract, and tortious interference with contract. Those were Nintendo’s pleaded claims; the court’s judgment awarded relief on the copyright claim. The case should not be described as a trial in which a jury found every allegation proven.
What did Nintendo accuse Archbox of doing?
Nintendo’s June 2024 complaint identified Williams as “Archbox” and alleged that he operated, promoted, or supported unauthorized online shops offering Nintendo Switch game files. It alleged that he promoted shops in the r/SwitchPirates community, helped users obtain circumvention software, and sought eShop gift cards or game files to add titles to the shops. The complaint also alleged copyright infringement and circumvention of technological measures. These details come from Nintendo’s allegations, not a contested trial verdict. Read Nintendo’s complaint.
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In addressing default judgment, the court said Nintendo sufficiently alleged ownership of copyrights in 30 listed Switch games and sufficiently demonstrated copying and distribution of unverified ROM files through online shops for purposes of its analysis. The complaint’s Schedule A included titles such as Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Mario Odyssey, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
How was the $4.5 million calculated?
The award is statutory damages under 17 U.S.C. § 504(c)(2), not a court calculation of proven lost sales. Nintendo requested $150,000 for each of 30 copyrighted works, and the court awarded that total:
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| Figure | What it means in this case |
|---|---|
| $4.5 million | Total statutory damages awarded by the court in 2026: $150,000 for each of 30 works. |
| 30 works | The number of videogames in Nintendo’s Schedule A used for the damages request. |
| $150,000 per work | The statutory maximum for willful infringement of a work, as described in the court’s order. |
| $750 to $30,000 per work | The statutory minimum and ordinary maximum, respectively, described by the court. |
The court treated Nintendo’s request as supported by the record before it in the default proceeding. The total does not mean that Nintendo proved $4.5 million in actual lost sales.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What does the permanent injunction stop Williams from doing?
The injunction is directed at Williams and people acting under his direction or control. It bars the specific conduct listed by the court, including making the covered shops available, distributing or promoting unauthorized Nintendo game copies or circumvention software, and encouraging others to download or obtain those materials.
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It is not a blanket prohibition on all Switch modification or emulation. Judge King wrote, “The injunction does not prohibit Williams from obtaining access to Nintendo’s videogames—it simply requires him to do so lawfully.”
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