Modded Switch console seller sentenced by Japanese courts in Nintendo's latest victory against piracy

Nintendo has aggressively pursued individuals who facilitate the piracy of Switch games. In most cases, prison time has not been the outcome. However, on April 14th, a Japanese court convicted a 58-year-old man for selling modded Switch consoles. The decision marks the first jail sentence for Nintendo-related piracy in the country.

Fortunately for Fumihiro Otobe, the court suspended his two-year sentence for three years. The businessman will likely serve no jail time but must pay a fine that equates to around $3500. Otobe modified stock Switch motherboards to boot pirated Switch games. He then sold the components for approximately $195 with a collection of 27 titles.

Otobe can consider himself lucky after the more severe punishment handed out to a Canadian hacker. Following a high-profile arrest in 2020, Gary Bowser faced 40 months in prison. He was part of the Team Xecuter group, which sold dongles that bypassed anti-piracy measures of consoles, including the Switch. Bowser was set free after 14 months for good behavior but still owes Nintendo a massive $14.5 million fine.

Nintendo has also taken a strong stance against the makers of emulators. The company doesn't consider the concept of emulators illegal. Of course, programs that simulate the Switch console on PCs and other platforms inevitably are used for piracy. After a Nintendo lawsuit against the popular Yuzu, the developers ceased all operations.

Many modern titles depend on internet connections, blocking players with illegitimate copies from critical features. Still, Switch 2 games like Mario Kart World will cost $80 or more. Hackers are undoubtedly already searching for ways to bypass the new console's security. With higher stakes, Nintendo will continue to pursue piracy in Japan and worldwide.