Nintendo’s Legal Battle Against Palworld Hits a Major Snag—And It’s Not Looking Good. Just when you thought the drama between Nintendo and Palworld couldn’t get any more intense, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has thrown a curveball that could significantly weaken Nintendo’s case. But here’s where it gets controversial: the USPTO has taken the rare step of re-examining a Pokémon-related patent previously granted to Nintendo, suggesting it might be invalid. Could this be the turning point in the ongoing patent infringement lawsuit? Let’s dive in.
Following Japan’s recent rejection of Nintendo’s attempt to patent Pokémon-style monster capture and throwing mechanics—a move that felt like a gut punch to the gaming giant—the U.S. has now questioned the validity of a separate but equally critical patent. Back in September, Nintendo was granted Patent No. 12,403,397, which covers gameplay mechanics involving summoning a sub-character to battle enemies. Sounds familiar, right? Well, USPTO Director John A. Squires has personally ordered a re-examination of this patent after uncovering prior art in two older patents—one filed by Konami in 2002 and another by Nintendo itself in 2019. And this is the part most people miss: these earlier patents describe similar mechanics for controlling characters and sub-characters in virtual battles, raising serious questions about whether Nintendo’s patent should have been granted in the first place.
In his order, Squires notes that these prior references introduce substantial new questions of patentability regarding Nintendo’s claims. Essentially, the USPTO is saying, “Hey, this idea might not be as original as you think.” While this doesn’t automatically mean the patent will be revoked, it’s a strong indicator that it could be on the chopping block. Nintendo has two months to respond, and third parties—like Palworld developer Pocketpair—can also challenge the patent during this window. Talk about adding fuel to the fire!
This latest development comes on the heels of Japan’s Patent Office rejecting Nintendo’s application for capture and item-throwing mechanics last year. The reason? These mechanics already existed in games like Monster Hunter 4, Ark: Survival Evolved, and even Pokémon Go long before Nintendo filed its patent. Ouch. The rejection, though not final, was based on evidence provided by an unnamed third party (likely Pocketpair), which further complicates Nintendo’s legal stance.
Nintendo’s lawsuit against Pocketpair, filed after Palworld’s explosive success, accused the studio of infringing on multiple patents. Pocketpair, however, refused to back down, vowing to fight the lawsuit to protect the creative freedom of indie developers. This clash isn’t just about patents—it’s about the future of innovation in gaming. But here’s the million-dollar question: Is Nintendo overreaching with its patent claims, or is Palworld crossing the line? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments—this debate is far from over!
