Nintendo Requests Subpoena of Discord to Track Down User Behind Last Year's Pokemon \"TeraLeak\"

Nintendo is actively seeking a subpoena from a California court to compel Discord to disclose the identity of the individual behind last year's significant Pokemon leak, known as the "FreakLeak" or the "TeraLeak". According to court documents obtained by Polygon, Nintendo is requesting that Discord reveal the name, address, phone number, and email address of the user known as "GameFreakOUT". This user allegedly posted copyrighted content, including artwork, characters, source code, and other Pokemon-related materials to a Discord server named "FreakLeak" last October. These materials subsequently spread rapidly across the internet.

Though not officially confirmed, it is believed that these materials may have stemmed from a data breach disclosed by Game Freak in October, following the August incident. Game Freak reported that the breach involved the access of 2,606 cases of current, former, and contract employee names. Interestingly, the leaked files appeared online on October 12, and Game Freak's statement, which was backdated to October 10, surfaced the following day. This statement did not mention any confidential company materials beyond the employee information.

The leaked materials encompassed numerous unannounced projects, cut content, background information, and early builds of various Pokemon games. Among the revelations was "Pokemon Champions", a battle-focused game announced in February, and details about "Pokemon Legends: Z-A", which have since been verified. Additionally, the leak included unverified information about the next generation of Pokemon, source code for DS Pokemon titles, meeting summaries, and omitted lore from "Pokemon Legends: Arceus" and other titles.

While Nintendo has not yet filed a lawsuit against any hacker or leaker, the pursuit of this subpoena suggests that they are keen on identifying the person responsible. Given Nintendo's history of aggressive legal action against piracy and patent infringement, should the subpoena be granted, it is likely that legal action may follow.