Nintendo has won a high court case which will require internet providers in the United Kingdom to block websites that provide the means to pirate Switch video games (via Eurogamer).
The internet service providers Sky, BT, EE, Talktalk, and Virgin Media must ‘block, or at least impede access’ to four identified websites that sell pirated Switch games, promote modified hardware, or provide instructions on how to mod the Switch for piracy reasons. The high court stated that the identified websites had compromised Nintendo trademarks and that there was no legal justification for supplying these pirated products and information.
A Nintendo representative spoke to Eurogamer and said, ‘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 1,800 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.’
Ukie, the UK’s trade body for the games industry, supported Nintendo’s claim. ‘These circumvention devices, which enable the use of unauthorised copies of video games, jeopardise the businesses of those who uphold and rely upon the sales of legitimate products,’ Ukie head of communications George Osborn told Eurogamer.
‘As such, Ukie fully supports the ruling and wishes to reiterate the strong stance of the UK video games industry against illegitimate operators. The case represents one of multiple industry endeavours to prevent bad actors from infringing upon and exploiting the intellectual property rights associated with games,’ he added.
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