In the wake of a massive breach in 2024 that revealed decades of previously unreleased Pokémon content, Nintendo is pursuing legal avenues to uncover the identity of the person behind the so-called “teraleak.” The company has submitted a request to a California court, asking for a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) subpoena directed at Discord.
The goal of the subpoena is to compel Discord to disclose any identifying information about the user known as “GameFreakOUT.” This includes their full name, address, phone number, email, IP address, or any other data that could help pinpoint the individual responsible. The username in question is believed to be linked to the person who allegedly infiltrated the servers of Game Freak—the studio behind the Pokémon series—and published a wealth of sensitive material.
The leaked files encompassed a vast range of internal resources, including early character designs, unfinished sprite sheets, original concept artwork from the 1997 anime, internal communications, and meeting notes from The Pokémon Company. The release marked one of the most significant unauthorized disclosures in the franchise’s history.
A Familiar Legal Pattern
This legal move echoes Nintendo’s previous hardline approach to intellectual property breaches. The company is widely known for vigorously defending its assets and pursuing offenders through both criminal and civil courts. If the subpoena is granted and Discord complies, Nintendo will likely pursue further legal action against the leaker, once their identity is confirmed.
The situation bears resemblance to the high-profile case of Gary Bowser, who faced serious legal consequences for his involvement in distributing modchips and jailbreak tools for Nintendo consoles. In that case, Bowser received a federal prison sentence of three years (though he served only one) and a $4.5 million fine. Nintendo followed up with a separate civil suit that sought an additional $10 million in damages—a sum he is unlikely ever to repay.
Consequences for the Leaker Could Be Severe
While the individual behind the teraleak did not profit from the information, legal precedent indicates that severe consequences are still on the table. In a similar Pokémon-related case from 2021, The Pokémon Company successfully sued two individuals who leaked content prior to a game’s release, resulting in each being ordered to pay $150,000 in damages.
Given the scale and scope of the 2024 breach, Nintendo’s pursuit of the culprit appears determined. The company’s aggressive stance on protecting its intellectual property makes it highly probable that the person responsible for the teraleak will face serious legal repercussions once identified.
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