Previously, the Nintendo versus Pocketpair patent dispute was only happening in Japan. However, recent actions by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company hint at potential escalation to the US. Unfortunately for them, it appears they may face a more challenging situation in the US, as the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has rejected 22 out of 23 of Nintendo’s patent claims.
What is going on with Nintendo’s case in the US against Palworld so far?
As of now, there hasn’t been any legal action taken, but it seems Nintendo is accumulating patents as a precautionary measure. If they manage to succeed with their strategy, they might initiate lawsuits similarly to how they operate in Japan.
For instance, one patent that has been granted to Nintendo is U.S. Patent No. 12,179,111, which pertains to the method of targeting and capturing characters. This patent was filed post Palworld’s launch, but it’s perfectly legal within the realm of patent filing if it can be linked to an earlier ‘patent family.’
Interestingly, in December, just before the release of Palworld’s massive Feybreak DLC, the game underwent updates that adjusted these capture mechanics. This could potentially be a response to the alleged infringement on this patent.
Yesterday, Nintendo got another patent in the US
On February 11th, GamesFray revealed that Nintendo has recently been granted a new patent in the United States. This patent is so fresh it’s not yet listed on Google Patents, but was filed on July 18, 2024. The patent details techniques for capturing game characters, such as aiming spots, chances of success in capturing a virtual character, and visual representations of the captured character engaging in combat with another virtual character. Does this sound familiar to you?
Furthermore, an attorney acting on behalf of Nintendo has arranged a consultation with the U.S. patent evaluator concerning a patent application focusing on seamless transitions between gameplay objects, such as vehicles. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is prepared to approve a single claim from this application if Nintendo relinquishes the remaining 22 claims. It’s possible that Nintendo requested this meeting to negotiate the approval of additional claims or to divide the eligible claim from the others, expediting its approval process.
Essentially, these actions indicate that Nintendo is aiming to bolster their collection of patented ideas by discussing with the patent office to have more of their innovative concepts officially validated and safeguarded. Florian Mueller, proprietor of GamesFray and renowned for his Activision Blizzard/Microsoft coverage, frequently updates on this matter. Regarding the possibility of Nintendo filing a patent infringement lawsuit in the U.S., he offered his opinion:
It seems they’re making an effort to reach their goal, but it appears to be tougher than initially anticipated. For instance, the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) only approving one out of 23 claims from one of their patents is a hurdle for Nintendo. However, they’re persevering in the face of these challenges.
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2025-02-12 20:39