Nintendo’s quest to quell leaks surrounding “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” has taken a legal turn, with the company focusing its efforts on identifying a Discord user allegedly responsible for circulating unreleased content. Legal documents obtained by TorrentFreak shed light on Nintendo’s pursuit, revealing the company’s determination to stem the flow of unauthorized information ahead of the game’s official release in May.
The leak, which reportedly includes access to a special edition art book, has undoubtedly ruffled feathers at Nintendo, prompting the company to take decisive action to safeguard its intellectual property. By homing in on the specific Discord user involved, Nintendo is aiming to plug the leak at its source and prevent further unauthorized disclosures.
As Nintendo ramps up its efforts to identify the individual responsible, the incident underscores the challenges faced by companies in combatting leaks and preserving the excitement and anticipation surrounding highly anticipated releases. With its iconic franchises and dedicated fanbase, Nintendo remains vigilant in protecting its intellectual property rights and maintaining the integrity of its gaming experiences.
Nintendo’s highly anticipated release, “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom,” is set to embark on its adventure on May 12th, as stated on the official Switch game website. However, the excitement surrounding the launch has been somewhat dampened by a pre-release leak of a 200-page art book, which surfaced online in February 2023. This comprehensive leak contained intricate details about new characters, enemies, and locations featured in the game, leaving fans both intrigued and puzzled about its premature disclosure.
In response to the leak, Nintendo swiftly took action by sending a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) takedown notice to Discord, targeting a specific Discord channel named “Tears of the Kingdom Official Discord Server.” The notice aimed to remove six specific URLs containing copyrighted images from the unreleased special edition art book. This proactive approach underscores Nintendo’s commitment to safeguarding its intellectual property rights and preserving the excitement surrounding the official release of “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.”
The rapid response from Discord to Nintendo’s takedown notice, promising prompt removal of the infringing content, highlights the platform’s commitment to enforcing copyright protection measures. However, despite the initial action, Nintendo continued to monitor the situation closely, expressing concerns about ongoing distribution of the pre-release artwork through direct messages and links within the Discord channel.
Nintendo’s persistence in addressing the issue led to further correspondence with Discord, where they highlighted specific members’ roles in sharing the infringing content and requested immediate review and takedown of the entire server. Discord, in response, issued a warning to the server and suggested that Nintendo file a trademark complaint if they were concerned about potential consumer confusion arising from the unauthorized use of the term ‘official.’
Unsatisfied with the platform’s response, Nintendo escalated the matter by filing an application for a DMCA subpoena in a California district court. This legal action aims to compel Discord to disclose the identity of a specific user, “Julien#2743,” believed to be responsible for posting the infringing content on the “Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” Discord channel.
Meanwhile, discussions on other platforms, notably Reddit, suggest speculation about the identity of the leaker, with some comments hinting at the involvement of a “long-time friend” as the source of the leak. However, questions remain about the motives behind such actions, with concerns raised about risking a friend’s livelihood for internet recognition.
