Highlights
- The Japan Patent Office has rejected a Nintendo patent application linked to its lawsuit against Palworld developer Pocketpair.
- The legal dispute focuses on gameplay mechanics rather than character designs or copyright.
- The decision could strengthen Pocketpair's efforts to challenge patents already being used in court.
Nintendo's legal battle with Palworld developer Pocketpair has become one of the gaming industry's most closely watched disputes. While many expected the case to centre on similarities between the creatures featured in both games, the lawsuit instead focuses on gameplay mechanics protected by patents. A recent decision by the Japan Patent Office (JPO) has added a new layer to the case and could influence how the litigation unfolds.
Why is Nintendo suing Palworld?
Nintendo and The Pokémon Company filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Pocketpair in Japan, alleging that Palworld uses gameplay systems covered by their patents. The claims centre on mechanics such as capturing creatures by throwing an object and switching between riding creatures and other items in an open world.
The case surprised many in the gaming industry because it does not focus on copyright or character designs, but instead on gameplay features. The lawsuit is currently being heard in the Tokyo District Court.
What does the patent rejection mean?
The JPO rejected patent application 2024-031879 after finding it lacked an inventive step. Officials cited earlier games including ARK: Survival Evolved, Monster Hunter 4, Craftopia, Kantai Collection and Pokémon GO as examples of similar mechanics.
Although the rejected application is not one of the patents currently being enforced in court, it belongs to the same patent family as two patents Nintendo is relying on in the lawsuit. Pocketpair has also submitted examples of earlier games and modified some disputed mechanics in Palworld as part of its defence. The JPO's reasoning could therefore support future attempts to invalidate those patents.
What happens next?
Nintendo can choose to amend the rejected application or appeal the JPO's decision through Japan's administrative process. At the same time, the lawsuit against Pocketpair will continue.
The outcome is expected to have wider implications for the video game industry. It could influence how far companies can use patents to protect gameplay mechanics and whether similar systems that have appeared across multiple games should qualify for patent protection in the future.
