Palworld developer Pocketpair has provided an update on Nintendo and The Pokémon Company’s high-profile patent lawsuit against the company.
According to Pocketpair, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company want 5 million yen (approx $32,846) each plus late payment damages, as well as an injunction against Palworld that would block its release.
Pocketpair also confirmed the Japan-based patents, which revolve around catching Pokémon in a virtual field, that it’s being sued for allegedly infringing. After Palworld’s huge launch earlier this year on PC and Xbox, comparisons were made between Palworld’s Pals and Pokémon, with some accusing Pocketpair of “ripping off” Pokémon designs. But rather than file a copyright infringement lawsuit, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have gone down the patent route.
It is worth noting that Palworld does include a mechanic that involves throwing a ball-like object (called a Pal Sphere) at monsters out in a field to capture them, similar to the mechanic seen in the 2022 Nintendo Switch exclusive Pokémon Legends: Arceus. One of the other patents in question is about riding on top of Pokémon (Palworld also lets players ride Pals).
Pocketpair said Nintendo and The Pokémon Company are seeking an injunction against the game and compensation for a portion of the damages incurred between the date of registration of the patents and the date of filing of the lawsuit (September 18, 2024).
Here are the target patents:
Patent No. 7545191[Patent application date: July 30, 2024][Patent registration date: August 27, 2024]Patent No. 7493117[Patent application date: February 26, 2024][Patent registration date: May 22, 2024]Patent No. 7528390[Patent application date: March 5, 2024][Patent registration date: July 26, 2024]
Pocketpair has vowed to take on Nintendo and The Pokémon Company in court, saying: “We will continue to assert our position in this case through future legal proceedings.”
Patent experts have said Nintendo and The Pokémon Company’s lawsuit against Pocketpair is evidence of the threat posed by Palworld, which has since gone on to launch on PS5.
In an article on GI.biz, intellectual property expert and associate at law firm MBHB Andrew Velzen argued that the shock lawsuit shows “just how seriously Nintendo views the threat of Palworld.”
Palworld launched on Steam priced $30 and straight into Game Pass on Xbox and PC earlier this year, breaking sales and concurrent player number records in the process. Pocketpair boss Takuro Mizobe has said Palworld’s launch was so big that the developer couldn’t handle the massive profits the game generated.
Still, Pocketpair acted swiftly to capitalize on Palworld’s breakout success, signing a deal with Sony to form a new business called Palworld Entertainment that’s tasked with expanding the IP.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
