Pocketpair, the developer of Palworld, has revealed details about the patent infringement lawsuit filed against them by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company in Japan. Here are the key points:
1. Patent Claims:
- Three patents are allegedly infringed: No. 7545191, No. 7493117, and No. 7528390.
- These patents were applied for between February and July 2024, and registered between May and August 2024.
- The patents appear to cover mechanics related to creature capture, aiming and throwing capture items, and riding characters in-game.
2. Legal Demands:
- Nintendo and The Pokémon Company are seeking an injunction against Palworld, which could block its release.
- They're demanding 5 million yen (approximately $32,846) each, plus late payment damages.
- The total potential payout could exceed 10 million yen.
3. Timeline and Context:
- Notably, all patent applications occurred after Palworld's early access release on January 19, 2024.
- However, these are divisional patents stemming from a parent patent registered in December 2021.
4. Pocketpair's Response:
- The company has vowed to "continue to assert our position in this case through future legal proceedings."
- They're preparing to defend themselves in court against these claims.
5. Legal Perspective:
- Some patent experts view this lawsuit as evidence of the threat Palworld poses to Nintendo and The Pokémon Company.
- The use of patent law rather than copyright infringement is notable in this case.
Pocketpair faces a significant legal challenge, but the company appears ready to contest the claims in court. The outcome of this case could have important implications for game mechanics patents and the broader gaming industry.
Report on Patent Infringement Lawsuit | 株式会社ポケットペア
www.pocketpair.jp
