Nintendo Permanently Shuts Down A ROM Site After Heated Legal Disputes

Nintendo recently sued a ROM site owner for illegally profiting from and distributing Nintendo’s copyrighted properties at a subscription fees, for which the Kyoto-based giant filed a lawsuit asking for $2 million in return. However, Nintendo filed a lawsuit again when the perpetrator failed to pay the first $50 installment of the fine.

As reported by VGC, a revised lawsuit now prohibits the ROM site ROMUniverse from ever copying and distributing Nintendo’s copyrighted properties. As a resolution, the perpetrator Matthew Storman must confirm the same by deleting any and all files that could be considered as Nintendo’s copyrighted material by August 20 by filing a declaration. Nintendo reportedly wanted to fine Storman as high as $15 million, but the judge intervened and lowered the amount to a relatively low $2 million.

Nintendo is known for being extremely protective of its copyrights, and witnessing the Kyoto-based giant pursuing such a lawsuit isn’t surprising by any means. ROMUniverse is, of course, just another distribution website that has fallen to Nintendo’s demands.