Overview of Recent Patent Developments
- Nintendo and The Pokémon Company (TPC) have secured their third anti-Palworld patent in the U.S.
- A fourth patent related to the same issue appears to be on the verge of approval.
- Patent analyst Florian Mueller suggests this could predict an impending patent complaint against Palworld by Nintendo and TPC in the U.S. courts.
Nintendo has successfully obtained a third patent aimed at Palworld in the United States, which reinforces their ongoing intellectual property strategy. According to Florian Mueller, a seasoned patent expert, this latest development points toward the likelihood of a lawsuit against the Palworld developer, Pocketpair.
The legal troubles began in September 2024, when Nintendo and TPC took legal action against Pocketpair in the Tokyo District Court, accusing them of infringing upon multiple patents held by the two companies. Following the initial litigation, both companies have focused on securing these critical patents in the U.S. This move not only emphasizes the significance of their claims but also suggests that the conflicts may extend beyond Japan and into a broader international arena.
In March 2025, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) granted another patent to Nintendo and TPC, as reported by Games Fray. This patent, tagged as number 12,246,255, provides a comprehensive system for interchanging various modes of transportation within gameplay. More specifically, it details a mechanism that enables players to switch between ground and airborne transportation seamlessly.
Prospects for a Fourth Anti-Palworld Patent Approval
Previously, Nintendo faced rejection on 22 out of 23 claims regarding a similar anti-Palworld patent in December 2024. However, following a constructive discussion with a USPTO examiner, Nintendo revised and resubmitted their application. This amended application is now on the cusp of being approved, potentially resulting in four patents that Nintendo and TPC can use against Pocketpair in the U.S. legal landscape.
Nintendo May Strategically Initiate Another Patent Complaint Against Palworld
According to Florian Mueller, the recent patent acquisition reflects a strategic move by Nintendo and TPC in preparation for yet another lawsuit against Palworld, likely shifting from Japan to U.S. courts. The timing of this legal action is expected to align with the approval of the newly amended patent (No. 18/652,883). If the situation progresses as anticipated, a U.S. lawsuit could be initiated between late spring and summer of 2025. While Pocketpair has expressed a willingness to contest the lawsuit, it remains uncertain how they will manage the potential for facing dual legal challenges in both Japan and the U.S.
In an earlier statement to Game Rant, Mueller criticized Nintendo’s approach, labeling the actions as consistent with legal bullying. As of early April 2025, he posits that there remains a slim chance for TPC and Nintendo to reconsider their aggressive stance toward Pocketpair in the U.S. Nevertheless, he concludes that the probability of conflict is considerably higher than that of resolution at this juncture.