Nintendo has filed a lawsuit in California to determine who is behind one of the largest data leaks in the Pokémon franchise's recent history. The company has formally requested that Discord reveal the user's identity. Known as GameFreakOUT, he was responsible for publishing a series of confidential information on a server called FreakLeak.
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The episode became known as the Teraleak, referring to the volume and relevance of the data released. Among the materials were concept art, internal documents, builds of old games, and mentions of unreleased titles, such as Pokémon Legends: ZA. The case began to gain traction in October 2024, just days after developer Game Freak confirmed it had suffered a hack, without, however, detailing the extent of the breach.
Leak exposed future projects of the franchise
According to documents filed by Nintendo lawyers, user GameFreakOUT published files containing previously unreleased content and encouraged others to access them. A screenshot attached to the request shows a Discord message in which he says "enjoy" alongside an attachment containing sensitive data.
The lawsuit seeks to obtain the real name, address, phone number, and email address of the account owner. The intent is to identify the leaker and assess appropriate legal action. While the subpoena request does not, in itself, initiate legal proceedings, the move indicates that Nintendo is considering holding the Teraleak author civilly and criminally liable.
This isn't an unprecedented move. The company has already sued others responsible for leaks involving games in the series, as occurred in 2019, when images of the Pokémon Sword and Shield strategy guide circulated online before the official release.
Discord may be required to provide user data
Discord, a platform widely used by gaming communities, may be legally compelled to cooperate with the request if the court grants Nintendo's request. The Japanese company claimed that the information was disclosed without authorization and constitutes copyright infringement.
Nintendo also stated that it attempted to contain the content's spread with DMCA-based takedown notices, but was unable to stop it. The leak quickly spread across forums, social media, and specialized websites.
The company's biggest concern involves potential commercial damage. Leaking details of games in development compromises marketing strategies, affects investor expectations, and harms the fan experience. Therefore, identifying the person responsible has become a priority.
Game Freak confirmed the attack days before the leak
Interestingly, developer Game Freak had announced, two days before the files were published, that it had suffered a cyberattack. At the time, the company mentioned that employee data had been accessed, but did not confirm whether game content had also been compromised.
Now, with the case taking on new legal implications, expectations are growing for a possible outcome in court. If identified, the person responsible for Teraleak could face harsh action, similar to previous lawsuits filed by Nintendo , known for its strict stance on protecting its intellectual property.
The company has not yet publicly commented on the status of the subpoena, but history suggests the case isn't likely to end with just an attempt to obtain information. Depending on Discord's and the court's response, the next step could be the initiation of formal proceedings against the leaker.
