Nintendo wins UK court case to block internet access to piracy sites

Shiver me timbers

Nintendo has won a UK-based court case that effectively forces several ISPs in Britain to ban access to websites that facilitate piracy on Nintendo Switch. Four specific sites have already been locked out, with the new ruling taking immediate effect through internet providers SKY, BT, EE and Virgin Media.

Speaking with Eurogamer, a Nintendo spokesperson related the company’s satisfaction with the outcome. “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.”

UK’s video game trade body UKIE also took the opportunity to express their delight at the result, with communication head George Osborne stating “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.”

Nintendo wins UK high court case to block piracy websites [Eurogamer]