Nintendo Sues Pocketpair Over Alleged Patent Infringement in Hit Game Palworld

Nintendo Co., in partnership with its affiliate Pokemon Co., has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Tokyo-based game developer Pocketpair Inc., the creators of the hit game Palworld. The legal action, submitted to the Tokyo District Court, seeks an injunction and compensation for damages, though Nintendo has not revealed the specific amount or scale of the relief it is pursuing. Pocketpair responded by stating that they are unaware of the exact patents they are being accused of infringing and plan to investigate the claims.

Palworld gained massive popularity shortly after its release in January, with fans dubbing it "Pokemon with guns" due to perceived similarities between the game’s monsters and those from Nintendo’s long-standing Pokemon franchise. However, the lawsuit does not focus on character design or copyright issues. Instead, Nintendo has targeted potential patent infringements related to the gameplay mechanics and user experience — areas that are typically protected under software patents. This strategic legal move signals that Nintendo may be less concerned with visual similarities and more focused on protecting the interactive elements of its games.

Industry analysts have noted that Nintendo’s approach may reflect its broader strategy to defend its intellectual property across multiple fronts, especially as the gaming giant holds numerous patents related to core gameplay elements that are widely used in modern games. Despite months of relative silence, the lawsuit comes after repeated warnings from Pokemon Co. that Palworld was not authorized to use any of its intellectual property and that legal action could be taken if necessary.

The lawsuit has surprised many, especially given that Palworld has received strong backing from major industry players like Microsoft and Sony. Microsoft supported the game’s initial distribution, and Pocketpair also partnered with Sony to sell related merchandise. While Sony Music Entertainment Inc., which facilitated the collaboration, declined to comment on the lawsuit, the legal battle signals Nintendo’s ongoing determination to protect its brand and intellectual properties from potential infringement.