Gary Bowser, famous pirate of the Nintendo Switch community, is currently on trial against the United States. The country is asking for a 5-year prison sentence. The hacker has already agreed to pay a fine of 4 million euros, as well as a second of 8.7 million euros directly to the Japanese firm.
Nintendo is not really known for its tolerance towards pirates. Last year, its lawsuit against the RomUniverse site made headlines, with twists and turns still taking place after its creator was sentenced to a two million euro fine. It has even happened that the Japanese firm uses unsavory practices to cover up a case before it comes to light, as was the case with this hacker who had information on the 3DS before its release.
Another case has recently been settled in court. This one opposed him this time to Gary Bowser, a pirate recognized in the community for having marketed mods allowing to free download nintendo switch games. The latter then agreed to pay the fine of 10 million dollars, or 8.7 million euros. But another trial is currently underway, this time opposing him to the US government. He is asking for justice a 5-year prison sentence and a $4.5 million fine (4 million euros).
5 years in prison for allowing Nintendo Switch games to be hacked
Gary Bowser has already agreed to pay the $4.5 million fine. On the other hand, his lawyers believe that the required 60-month sentence is too heavy and calls for lighten it at 19 months. The US government, however, counters that “the nature and circumstances of the offence, the background and characteristics of the defendant, and the need for the sentence to reflect the seriousness of the offence, promote respect for the law and provide a just punishment » are all points to take into account “in order to provide an adequate deterrent to criminal conduct“.
Related: Nintendo Sues Again Against RomUniverse, Pirate Site Refuses to Pay $50/Month Fine
The Defense argues for its part that Gary Bowser is “least guilty and only defendant apprehended in this indictment”and the US government just uses him as a scapegoatfor lack of being able to get their hands on the other players in the market. “This is a serious offense in which Nintendo suffered substantial monetary loss“, nevertheless admit the lawyers. “A sentence of 19 months for the least guilty of the three defendants, in the circumstances in which Mr. Bowser actually served this sentence, is significant. »
Team Xecuter, the hacker group that included Gary Bowser, generated several tens of millions of dollars in revenue thanks to their business.
