Nintendo Sues Yuzu Emulator for Piracy

Nintendo has taken legal action against the developers of the Yuzu Nintendo Switch emulator, alleging that they are actively facilitating widespread piracy. The lawsuit, filed in a Rhode Island court, seeks to not only shut down the emulator but also seize and destroy all copies of it owned by the developers.

The crux of Nintendo’s argument lies in Yuzu’s ability to allow users to play Nintendo Switch games on platforms like Windows PC, effectively transforming these devices into instruments for large-scale infringement of intellectual property. Nintendo contends that Yuzu achieves this by unlawfully circumventing layers of encryption designed to protect Nintendo Switch games, enabling users to play unauthorized copies of games on PCs and Android devices.

Central to Nintendo’s case is the assertion that the lead developer of Yuzu, known by the online moniker “Bunnei,” has openly acknowledged that the emulator’s website provides users with instructions on how to hack their Nintendo Switch consoles and create unauthorized copies of Nintendo games. Consequently, Nintendo is seeking significant damages, including $2,500 for every violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act’s anti-circumvention and anti-trafficking provisions, as well as $150,000 for each copyright infringement.

In addition to financial compensation, Nintendo is requesting that the court take decisive action by seizing, impounding, and ultimately destroying all copies of the Yuzu emulator, along with any associated software and hardware that infringe upon its copyright.

While emulators themselves are not inherently illegal, they can be used for piracy when users play pirated games on them. Yuzu, however, is supported by a Patreon campaign that provides users with various benefits, including early releases, enhanced technical support, and access to an exclusive Discord channel. This Patreon has garnered significant support, boasting nearly 7,400 paying members and generating nearly $30,000 in monthly revenue.