New Super Mario Bros Wii Uploader Fined $1.5m AUD

09 Feb 2010 at 17:40:39 by Andy Alderson

Nintendo Australia has announced its Federal Court case against a Wii user who uploaded New Super Mario Bros Wii has reached a settlement.

As a result of the action, the uploader will be required to pay the company $1.5 million AUD “by way of damages to compensate Nintendo for the loss of sales revenue caused by the individual’s actions.”

The game was uploaded to the net a week before its release and Nintendo used “sophisticated technological forensics” to identify the uploader. A Federal Court search order followed and evidence was seized from the uploader’s home.

“Nintendo has been working to combat piracy for approximately 20 years,” said Nintendo in a press release.

“Fewer sales of Nintendo’s hardware and software systems means fewer resources that Nintendo, its licensees, developers and publishers have to create and market new video game products which is ultimately to the detriment of video game enthusiasts.

“When there is a decrease in game development, there is also a decrease in the number of jobs in the industry. The existence of piracy jeopardises the strength of the video game industry overall.”

So there you go. What do you think of the outcome? Let us know in the comments section below.

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