Pokémon Company Sues Over Palworld Patent Infringement

Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have filed a patent infringement lawsuit against the developer of Palworld, Pocketpair, in the Tokyo District Court. The lawsuit seeks an injunction and compensation for damages, alleging that Palworld infringes on multiple patents, potentially including a 2021 Pokeball patent. The legal move follows the game's January 2024 release and its rapid rise in popularity despite apparent similarities to Pokémon in creature design and mechanics. Pocketpair has expressed that they are unaware of the specific patents in question and will investigate the claims while continuing game development. Analysts suggest that Nintendo has shifted focus from copyright to patent infringement, indicating a strategic move to protect its unique game mechanics. The outcome of this lawsuit could significantly impact the future of monster-collecting RPGs.