Nintendo, Pokemon Company sue 'Palworld' creator over patent infringement
Nintendo and The Pokemon Company have initiated legal proceedings against Pocketpair Inc., the Tokyo-based creator of the popular survival adventure game "Palworld." The lawsuit was filed in the Tokyo District Court on Wednesday. It alleges "multiple patent rights" violations by Pocketpair Inc., and seeks both an injunction and compensation for damages. Pocketpair's CEO Takuro Mizobe had previously said the game had passed all the legal checks.
'Palworld' gained over 25 million players in a month
"Palworld," quickly earned the nickname "Pokemon with guns," when its first trailer was revealed in 2021. The game has seen significant success since its launch in mid-January this year. The game quickly attracted an impressive player base of over 25 million within just a month of its release. In the game, players use firearms to capture and train adorable creatures known as "pals," which can either battle alongside the player or work at a base, crafting supplies/items for field use.
Pocketpair's expansion and The Pokemon Company's warning
In July, Pocketpair announced a joint venture with Sony Music Entertainment and Aniplex Inc., named Palworld Entertainment Inc. This new entity was established to promote the global licensing business of "Palworld." Meanwhile, The Pokemon Company had issued a statement in January, warning that it would investigate and take action against any infringement of its intellectual property rights.
