Nintendo secures a patent for in-game characters that can summon others to join battles
A newly granted patent has been obtained by Nintendo, safeguarding a typical gaming feature where a primary character in a game can call upon an additional character to help in combat.
According to Games Fray, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued the patent, identified as number 12,403,397, to Nintendo on September 2, 2025. Even though the patent application was submitted in March 2023, it was approved without challenge, despite the gameplay element being present in earlier games, both from Nintendo and other developers.
This patent potentially puts other games at risk of infringing on Nintendo's copyright if they use similar features as outlined:
- The requirement of a PC, console, or other device with the game stored on a suitable medium.
- The ability to control a character within a digital environment.
- The capability to summon an auxiliary character, which is not the main character, such as a Pokémon.
- Two mutually exclusive scenarios follow: the first involves summoning this auxiliary character to engage in combat with another existing character.
- The alternative involves summoning the character where no opponent is present immediately.
- The final step involves directing this character to initiate an automated battle with another character.
Games Fray highlighted the significant implications for the gaming industry, suggesting that this might encourage other game developers to seek patents for other common mechanics.
"The ‘397 patent represents a significant risk to the creative and innovative efforts within the game development sector," the report indicated. This issue extends beyond the current Palworld copyright dispute, affecting numerous existing games and future titles incorporating similar mechanics.
It was also noted that Nintendo achieved a legal victory with a $2 million judgment against modders last year, whom they had previously sued for copyright infringement involving circumvention devices.