Nintendo and The Pokémon Company Bolster Legal Position in Palworld Dispute with New Patent
Background:
In an ongoing legal battle surrounding the popular Pokémon-like game Palworld, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have secured a new patent that strengthens their claims of copyright infringement. The dispute centers around the similarities between the gameplay mechanics of Palworld and Nintendo’s Pokémon franchise.
New Patent Details:
The newly granted U.S. Patent No. 12,220,638 aligns closely with a previous patent (U.S. Patent No. 12,179,111) filed by Nintendo. However, the new patent includes key revisions that address previous objections raised by Palworld developer Pocketpair.
Revised Gameplay Mechanics:
A significant change in the new patent involves the simplification of gameplay mechanics. The previous patent described a two-mode mechanism where "field characters" obtained by a "capture item" would transform into "battle characters" for combat. Palworld contested this claim, arguing that its gameplay did not exhibit this distinction.
In the revised patent, Nintendo has eliminated the separate modes. The terms "virtual character" and "capture item" have been introduced to encompass both field and battle characters. Additionally, the patent now includes a provision for a screen indicator that displays the possibility of capturing a character.
Implications for the Litigation Process:
These revisions may undermine Pocketpair’s defense strategy by eliminating the key argument that Palworld’s gameplay is distinct from Nintendo’s. Nintendo can now argue that Palworld more closely resembles their proprietary gameplay mechanics, strengthening their case for copyright infringement.
Nintendo’s Persistence:
Despite the issuance of the new patent, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company continue to pursue rejected claims from the previous patent. Their legal team met with the patent examination office on February 8, 2025, to advocate for further consideration of these claims.
Analysis:
The new patent and Nintendo’s determination to pursue their claims suggest that the legal battle over Palworld is likely to continue. The revisions to the patent increase Nintendo’s leverage and may make it more difficult for Pocketpair to defend its position.
Conclusion:
The ongoing legal dispute between Nintendo, The Pokémon Company, and Pocketpair highlights the importance of intellectual property protection in the gaming industry. The new patent reinforces Nintendo’s legal standing and adds another layer of complexity to the case. The outcome of the litigation will have implications for both companies and could set precedents for future copyright disputes involving similar gameplay mechanics.
