Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have officially filed a lawsuit against Pocketpair, the developer of the game Palworld, citing patent infringement. The lawsuit, filed on September 18, 2024, in the Tokyo District Court, claims that Palworld, developed and released by Pocketpair Inc., infringes on various patent rights held by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company.
Nintendo Pursues Pokémon Go Copyright Violations!
In a press release, Nintendo stated that the purpose of the lawsuit is both to seek an injunction against the patent infringement and to recover damages. However, Pocketpair has yet to release an official statement in response.
Despite still being in early access, Palworld has become one of the biggest gaming successes of 2024, selling over five million copies in its first three days after launching in January. The game, which combines survival and crafting elements, has been described as featuring “armed Pokémon.”
Players work alongside creatures called “Pals” to survive, but many noticed that some of the monsters in the game bear striking similarities to characters from Pokémon Go. These similarities were quickly spotted by fans and critics alike, sparking debates about Palworld being a potential “copy” of Pokémon.
This legal move by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company has caused a significant stir in the gaming world, with many eagerly awaiting Pocketpair’s response and the outcome of the case. However, given Nintendo’s strong track record in such legal matters, it wouldn’t be surprising if the case ultimately rules in their favor.
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