Pocketpair Shares New Details on Nintendo’s Lawsuit Over Palworld Patents

In a recent update, Palworld developer Pocketpair shared specifics of the lawsuit filed by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company, revealing the patents allegedly infringed by their game. This ongoing legal battle, which began in mid-September 2024, centers around accusations that Palworld copied Nintendo’s patented creature-capture mechanics.

Patent Infringement Claims

Nintendo and The Pokémon Company claim Palworld infringes three specific patents (patent numbers 7545191, 7493117, and 7528390).

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These patents describe a creature-capture system where players use dual inputs—an analog stick for aiming and a button to release a capturing item, similar to a Poké Ball. Additionally, one patent outlines a capture-rate calculation mechanism, used to determine the success of capturing a creature. Palworld’s “Pal Spheres” appear to resemble this patented system, potentially crossing into Nintendo’s intellectual property.

Although Pocketpair argued that these patents were only recently filed, closer inspection reveals earlier applications date back to 2021. The original filings were in Japan, which likely explains why the lawsuit is currently confined to Japanese courts, as patents apply on a country-specific basis. Pocketpair expressed disappointment with the litigation, labeling it a significant distraction from their development work.

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Nintendo’s Legal Demands

Nintendo and The Pokémon Company are seeking 10 million yen (around $65,600 USD) in damages—¥5 million each—along with additional late payment fees. More importantly, they are also pursuing an injunction to halt future sales of Palworld in Japan, a move that could severely impact the game’s reach in the region. While the monetary damages are modest compared to Palworld’s strong sales, the injunction could be a significant setback for the developer if granted.

Pocketpair’s Response and Next Steps

Pocketpair’s legal team plans to continue contesting these claims, standing by the originality of Palworld’s mechanics. The studio maintains its position, asserting that Palworld remains distinct despite the similarities cited by Nintendo. Nonetheless, given Japan’s strict patent laws—particularly around gameplay mechanics—Palworld’s case could face challenges, as Japanese courts have historically allowed patents on gameplay features more readily than in other regions.

With Palworld currently available on major platforms including Steam, the Microsoft Store, PlayStation, and Xbox (with added availability on Xbox Game Pass), it remains to be seen how this legal battle will affect the game’s trajectory. Meanwhile, it goes without saying that fans shouldn’t expect a Nintendo Switch version anytime soon amid these legal disputes.