The FBI has seized one of the majorNintendo Switchpiracy websites. It’s the latest in some massive anti-piracy pushes from Nintendo, and comes after a months-long legal battle. Now, notification of the seizure will be displayed as a message from the FBI to anyone who visits the infamous piracy website, NSW2U.
PerIGN, the site now only has a statement from the FBI posted to those who visit it:
“This domain has been seized by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in accordance with a seizure warrant issued pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 2323 issued by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia as part of a law enforcement operation and action by [the] Federal Bureau of Investigation [and] Fiscal Information and Investigation Service.”
FBI Has Seized The Domain Of A Major Nintendo Piracy Website
NSW2U Has Been Taken Down
At the time of this writing, it’s not clear what charges have been brought against the people behind NSW2U. The website had been blacklisted by the EU earlier this summer, and several countries had already blocked the site from being accessed. Per IGN’s report, the FIOD is a Dutch government agency, which suggests “the website had ties to the Netherlands.” What is for certain is that the site appears to be permanently taken down.
Nintendo Is On A Big Anti-Piracy Push
Multiple Sites Have Been Taken Down In Recent Years
This is just the latest in a majoranti-piracy push from Nintendo, seeking legal action against various sites, including a$12 million lawsuit in 2018against a site that was releasing ROMs of its games. Since then, the company has been increasingly aggressive against those who have infringed upon its properties. There has been some pushback around overreaching, particularly in some countries, but generally, decisions have gone in the video game company’s favor.
As Nintendo continues its anti-piracy endeavors, it’s likely more high-profile seizures will take place. NSW2U was one of the largest piracy sites around, and despite its large scale, it was really only a matter of time before Nintendo won out. Now, the FBI’s message indicates it’s gone for good. In the meantime, more piracy sites aroundNintendo Switchshould be expected to be taken down in the near future, as it’s apparent the company isn’t abandoning its anti-piracy practices anytime soon.
