U.S. District Judge Laura Taylor orders Reddit user u/esporx to pay Nintendo $4.5 million after a copyright case found he ran piracy shops selling illegal Switch games, damaging revenue and brand reputation.

U.S. District Judge Laura Taylor ordered Reddit user u/esporx to pay Nintendo $4.5 million after a copyright lawsuit concluded that the moderator ran multiple piracy shops for Nintendo Switch games.

Court ruling

The judgment, issued on Sept. 12, 2026, held that the defendant profited from selling unauthorized copies of Switch titles through subreddits he managed. Nintendo argued that the illegal distribution caused lost revenue and damaged the brand’s reputation.

Damages calculation

Judge Taylor based the award on actual sales figures presented by Nintendo’s legal team and applied statutory damages for each infringed work. The total sum reflects both compensatory and punitive components.

Response from the parties

Nintendo’s counsel, Michael Alvarez, said the damages "reflect the scale of the infringement and send a clear message that online piracy will not be tolerated." The Reddit moderator declined to comment when contacted.

Implications for online marketplaces

The case underscores the legal risks for moderators who facilitate the sale of pirated software on public platforms. Legal experts note that the ruling may prompt other rights holders to pursue similar actions against individuals who enable large‑scale infringement.

Reddit has not announced any policy changes related to the incident. The platform’s terms of service already prohibit the promotion of illegal content, but enforcement varies across communities.

The defendant has 30 days to file an appeal. If the appeal is denied, the $4.5 million judgment will become payable to Nintendo.