Palworld developer Pocketpair recently disclosed more information regarding the patent infringement lawsuit filed by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company last September. The dispute, which has attracted the attention of the gaming industry, revolves around three Japanese patents (no. 7545191, no. 7493117 and no. 7528390) which, according to the plaintiffs, describe game mechanics crucial to the Pokémon experience, such as capturing creatures by throwing orbs, aiming mechanics and the ability to ride certain creatures. In an unexpected move, Pocketpair doesn’t just deny the accusations, it goes on the counterattack. In addition to requesting compensation of 5 million yen (around 30 thousand euros) for each infringed patent, plus default interest, the company is asking for an injunction against the Pokémon game and compensation for damages suffered starting from the date of registration of patents.
The lawsuit comes after the commercial success of Palworld, which recorded 12 million copies sold in its first month of launch. Nintendo, at the time, said it was aware of Palworld and wanted to investigate possible intellectual property violations. Although the lawsuit led to the postponement of the launch of Palworld for PS5 in Japan, the development of the mobile version, licensed to Krafton, continues without a hitch. “We will continue to assert our position in this case through future legal proceedings,” Pocketpair said in an official statement. The matter promises to be complex and full of implications for the gaming industry. It remains to be seen how Japanese law will rule on the validity of the patents in question and what impact this dispute will have on the future of both games.