Japanese Nintendo Switch modder arrested for illegally selling consoles with pirated games
A console modder has been arrested in Japan for selling modded Nintendo Switch systems pre-loaded with pirated games, marking the first arrest under suspicion of violating the country's Trademark Act involving the console.
The details:
As reported by NTV News (via Automaton), the 58-year-old man was arrested in Ibaraki Prefecture on January 15 for allegedly modding the hardware of second-hand Switch consoles and selling them online for 28,000 JPY (~$180 USD). The modifications allowed pirated games to be played on the systems, and the modder also included 27 pre-loaded games obtained illegally for an additional fee.
The individual has since admitted to the offense, stating that he "was curious to know whether people would think I was great if I sold modified consoles."
According to Japanese news reports, this is the first time someone has been arrested in Japan for selling modded Switch consoles, though similar arrests have taken place in the US. In 2022, hacker Gary Bowser was sentenced to 40-months in prison and ordered to pay Nintendo 25–30% of his income for the rest of his life in damages. Although Bowser is now free, he sees his sentence as a clear warning to other modders who plan to break the law.
Earlier this week, the deputy general manager of Nintendo's IP department confirmed that the company would continue to combat "illegal" emulation, such as Yuzu and Ryujinx. The lawyer explained that, while emulating hardware is legal, copying software tied to a console or circumventing its security measures is considered copyright infringement.
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