Japan’s Patent Office recently rejected Nintendo’s patent for the way Pokémon games allow players to capture monsters – a decision that, while unexpected to some, wasn’t entirely surprising to others.
Nintendo is suing the creators of Palworld, Pocketpair, claiming they copied a patented technology. The technology involves a specific method for catching creatures – by throwing an item at them.
Nintendo claims that Palworld’s creature-catching mechanics closely resemble a system they have a patent on.
Nintendo claims their gameplay technique is copyrighted, but the Japan Patent Office disagreed. They denied the patent application because they found the idea wasn’t new, pointing out that similar features were already present in other games.
This application, patent number 2024-031879, is one of several patents Nintendo is using in its legal case against Pocketpair.
As a fan, I was reading about the patent stuff, and it turns out Nintendo is saying they ‘invented’ certain things in their games. But the JPO, the Japanese Patent Office, pointed out that games like Monster Hunter 4, ARK: Survival Evolved, and even Craftopia already had those same elements! Basically, they’re saying Nintendo can’t claim those ideas as brand new because they were already done before.
However, the lawsuit between Nintendo and Pocketpair isn’t over yet. The case, which is being handled by the Tokyo District Court, is still ongoing.
That said, this rejection could unexpectedly provide Pocketpair a leverage to win the case.
The Japanese patent office seems to disagree with Nintendo’s assessment that its technology is entirely original, suggesting the company’s claims of uniqueness may be overstated.
How Nintendo’s Patent Application Could Go Forward
Because Nintendo is known for aggressively pursuing legal action, this lawsuit is unlikely to be dropped. They also have multiple avenues they can still explore.
The company can either revise its patent application to resolve the issues raised by the JPO, or it can challenge the decision by appealing to Japan’s Intellectual Property High Court.
Alternatively, it will take time, giving Pocketpair more time to develop the game at their own pace.
As a Palworld fan, I’ve been following the discussions about its originality, and Pocketpair has been really clear: they built Palworld from the ground up! They’ve explained that while it does have things like collecting creatures and surviving in the world, those aren’t new ideas – they’re just common elements in a lot of games, and definitely weren’t invented by Nintendo. It’s cool to see them stand by their work and point out the long history of those gameplay features.
The JPO’s research backs up this argument, demonstrating that comparable gameplay features were present in various game series long before Nintendo applied for its patent.
Palworld became a hot topic in early 2024 after quickly gaining popularity. The game combines the fun of collecting creatures with the challenges of surviving and building in an open world.
People immediately started calling the game “Pokémon with guns,” which made the controversy even bigger. Soon after, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company sued Pocketpair, claiming they had violated patents and were engaging in unfair competition.
Even so, Palworld became incredibly popular, drawing in millions of players and inspiring a vibrant modding scene. Some fans believe Nintendo’s strong legal stance is an effort to stifle competition, while others think the company is just protecting its own creations.
Just because the JPO rejected the claim doesn’t mean the case is over. The court will still decide the outcome, but the JPO’s decision could influence that decision.
Since patent office decisions frequently shape how judges assess whether a patent is valid, this recent development could impact Nintendo’s overall legal strategy.
For full details of the application and the reasoning behind its rejection, check here.
$6.79
$8.94
$5.59
$22.99
Read More
- Gold Rate Forecast
- 10 Most Badass Moments From Arrow
- Wednesday Season 2 Completely Changes a Key Addams Family Character
- BTC PREDICTION. BTC cryptocurrency
- Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition coming to PS5 on November 4
- The Simpsons Kills Off Marge Simpson In Shocking Twist
- Dynasty Warriors remastered title and Dynasty Warriors: Origins major DLC announced
- Jimmy Kimmel Slams ‘Angry Finger Pointing’ Following Charlie Kirk Shooting After Building a Career off Angry Finger Pointing
- Wind Breaker Chapter 197 Release Date & What To Expect
- Vanessa Kirby Reveals Pedro Pascal Got ‘Snappy’ During Fantastic Four Events
2025-10-30 11:07