Nintendo and The Pokémon Company take legal action against Palworld's developer, Pocketpair
Nintendo, in collaboration with The Pokémon Company, has initiated legal proceedings against Pocketpair, the developer of Palworld, for allegedly violating "numerous patent rights." This lawsuit has been filed in Tokyo District Court on September 18, as detailed in a public notice on Nintendo's official website.
Currently, the specifics of the case are limited, but Nintendo states it is seeking both a halt to the alleged violations and financial compensation, asserting that Palworld infringes on several of its patents. Nintendo emphasized its ongoing commitment to defending its intellectual property, which includes safeguarding the renowned Nintendo brand.
Palworld achieved notable market success upon release earlier this year, stirring controversy over whether it was encroaching on The Pokémon Company's intellectual property due to its tagline being likened to 'Pokémon with guns.' This controversy has been a topic of legal discussion, as explored in an article analyzing the dynamics of such conflicts. Richard Hoeg remarked that the absence of immediate action from Nintendo doesn’t necessarily mean the absence of infringement. The full discussion is accessible here.
Sony Music Entertainment, Aniplex, and Pocketpair formed a collaborative effort in July, launching Palworld Entertainment to foster Palworld’s international expansion, details of which can be found here.
Update: In response, Pocketpair has released a statement via their website, acknowledging the lawsuit and stating their intention to address the patent infringement claims legally. Pocketpair noted a lack of specific details regarding the patents in question and expressed regret over the situation, apologizing to Palworld's community for any unease caused.
The company further expressed disappointment that it must now divert time from game development due to the litigation. However, Pocketpair affirmed its dedication to supporting fans and encouraging creativity among indie developers, ensuring they do not face discouragement in exploring innovative ideas.
