Nintendo Wins $2M Lawsuit Against Switch Modder

A Nintendo console modification specialist who continued his business operations despite receiving formal warnings from Nintendo, and later chose to represent himself in the resulting legal proceedings, has been ordered to pay damages totaling $2 million.

In July 2024, Nintendo filed a complaint against Michigan resident Ryan Daly, alleging that he operated a company called Modded Hardware. The business was accused of selling modified Nintendo Switch consoles, unauthorized game copies, and devices like the MIG Switch that facilitate software piracy.

Although Nintendo had previously notified Daly and demanded he stop his activities, he continued. This led to the company initiating a lawsuit. Court documents from October of last year revealed that Daly opted to defend himself in court without an attorney, maintaining his innocence and presenting several arguments in his defense.

Nearly a year later, and perhaps as expected, Nintendo has prevailed in the case. A judgment issued on September 5 orders Daly to pay $2 million in damages and subjects him to a permanent injunction, barring him from any future involvement in activities that enable piracy.

The court determined that Daly, the confirmed operator of Modded Hardware, sold devices that circumvent copyright protection, hacked consoles, and modification chips. These actions caused "significant and irreparable harm" to Nintendo of America and enabled the creation, distribution, and large-scale playing of pirated Nintendo games. Legal records confirm Daly continued to represent himself throughout the case.

Nintendo's successful legal action is the latest in a series of enforcement efforts against game piracy. The company has pursued similar cases against other individuals, such as Gary Bowser, a former employee of a company that sold anti-piracy circumvention devices. Bowser served a prison sentence and was ordered to pay $14.5 million in restitution—a financial obligation he has stated will last his entire lifetime.