Nintendo Goes After Pokémon "Teraleak" Source Through Discord Subpoena

Nintendo is taking legal action to uncover who leaked massive amounts of Pokémon data last year. The company has asked a California court to force Discord to reveal the identity of a user called "GameFreakOUT," who allegedly shared confidential Pokémon materials online.

According to documents obtained by Polygon, Nintendo filed a request for a subpoena on April 18 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The company wants Discord to provide the name, address, phone number, and email address of the person behind the leak.

The data breach, which occurred in October 2024, has become known as the "Teraleak" because of its enormous scope. It contained a treasure trove of confidential information including source codes, early character designs, references to an upcoming MMO, transcripts of design meetings, and details about unreleased projects like a Detective Pikachu sequel and other planned Pokémon movies. Some are calling it the biggest leak in Pokémon history.

The leaked materials first appeared on a Discord server called FreakLeak before spreading widely across the internet. Nintendo attempted to remove the content with DMCA takedown requests, but the information had already become too widespread to contain.

In the legal filing, Nintendo attorney James D. Berkley stated that the purpose of the subpoena is "to obtain the identity of the Discord user 'GameFreakOUT,' who posted infringing content." The request includes a partially redacted screenshot from Discord showing messages where the user shared files and told others to "enjoy."

This leak happened shortly after Game Freak, the developer behind Pokémon games, confirmed on October 10, 2024, that its servers had experienced "unauthorized access" in August 2024. At that time, the company acknowledged that staff data for more than 2,000 current and former employees had been compromised but didn't mention game information.

The subpoena request cites violation of Nintendo's rights under copyright law. "The Content infringes NOA's exclusive rights under copyright law," the filing states. "Specifically, it infringes NOA's rights in the copyright-protected artwork, characters, and other materials related to the famous Pokémon franchise."

This isn't Nintendo's first time pursuing legal action against Pokémon leakers. In the past, the company took people to court over leaked photos from a Pokémon Sword and Shield strategy guide. In that case, the defendants were ordered to pay $150,000 each in damages and attorneys' fees. Another report mentions that in 2021, The Pokémon Company settled on a $300,000 fine for two leakers who shared Pokémon Sword and Shield images.

While Discord hasn't publicly responded to Nintendo's request yet, if the platform complies and reveals GameFreakOUT's identity, the leaker will likely face a lawsuit. Given the extensive nature of the materials allegedly obtained—including source code for the upcoming game Pokémon Legends: Z-A and other next-generation titles—Nintendo seems determined to pursue legal action to protect its intellectual property.