Nintendo Goes After Discord for Leaker's Identity

In a bold move to safeguard its beloved Pokémon franchise, Nintendo of America has filed a request to subpoena Discord in a bid to uncover the identity of a notorious leaker behind the massive 'teraleak' that emerged in October 2024. This leak included sensitive data and unreleased materials that have sent shockwaves through the gaming community.

The Case Details Unveiled

According to legal documents obtained by Polygon, Nintendo is targeting a Discord user known as GameFreakOUT, who is alleged to have shared confidential information on a server dubbed FreakLeak. The company is adamant about tracking down the source of these leaks to protect its intellectual property.

Subpoena Filed Under Copyright Law

The formal request was submitted to the district court in San Francisco on April 18, 2025. Nintendo's legal representatives at Mitchell Silberberg and Knupp LLP invoked the Digital Millennium Copyright Act to support their case. The subpoena aims to compel Discord to reveal detailed personal information about the alleged leaker, including their name, address, phone number, and email.

A Breach That Triggered a Leak

This legal battle is set against the backdrop of a significant cybersecurity breach at Game Freak, the developer behind Pokémon. In August 2024, it was reported that data from over 2,000 current and former employees was compromised, just weeks before the teraleak hit the internet, laying bare a wealth of information about past and upcoming Pokémon titles.

What Was Leaked?

The teraleak was extensive, revealing intriguing insights and assets related to the Pokémon series, including source code for classic titles like Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. Nintendo's request emphasizes that the leaked content violates their copyright protections, jeopardizing the integrity of well-known characters and artwork tied to the franchise.

Nintendo's Commitment to Protecting Its Legacy

Nintendo's legal action underscores their determination to defend their intellectual property from unauthorized distribution and potential damage to their brand. As the gaming giant continues to battle leaks and breaches, the outcome of this subpoena could set significant precedents for how future leaks are handled within the gaming industry.