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Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have taken legal action against Japanese game developer Pocketpair, filing a patent infringement lawsuit in Tokyo over its popular game Palworld. The lawsuit, which seeks an injunction and damages, claims Palworld infringes on multiple patents held by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company related to the Pokémon franchise.
Palworld, released in Early Access on January 18, 2024, became an instant hit, selling 15 million copies on Steam and reaching 25 million players within a month. Described as a Pokémon parody by many, the game features cute monsters, known as “Pals,” who use guns and engage in various dark activities, such as fighting poachers, being sold into slavery, or being killed for survival.
Nintendo and The Pokémon Company had previously indicated they were investigating a game released in January 2024 that potentially infringed on intellectual property rights associated with Pokémon. After concluding their investigation, Nintendo proceeded with legal action. In an official statement, the company said, “This lawsuit aims to secure an injunction against the infringement and seek compensation for damages, as Palworld, a game created and released by the Defendant, violates multiple patent rights.”
Pocketpair has defended itself, claiming that Palworld underwent legal reviews before its release and that the game bears more resemblance to Ark Survival Evolved and Valheim than to Pokémon. Takuro Mizobe, CEO of Pocketpair, stated that no lawsuits had been filed during the development phase and expressed disappointment in the lawsuit, noting that it would divert time and resources away from game development.
Despite the legal action, Pocketpair has vowed to fight the claims and continue supporting indie game developers. The company expressed, “We will do everything we can for our fans and ensure that indie game developers are not discouraged or obstructed from pursuing their creative ideas.”
The lawsuit could have significant implications for the future of Palworld and other indie games that draw inspiration from established franchises, especially when it comes to intellectual property rights.