In a move that has sent ripples through the gaming world, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have officially filed a lawsuit against Pocketpair, the developer of the popular game Palworld. Known for blending Pokémon-like gameplay with survival and crafting elements, Palworld became an instant hit, but its success has seemingly caught the attention of Nintendo’s legal team.
Palworld’s Success and Nintendo’s Reaction
Palworld launched in early access in January 2024 and quickly captured the gaming community’s attention, selling nearly 5 million copies within days. Despite this achievement, there has been growing speculation that the game’s similarities to Pokémon could result in legal action from Nintendo. Although some industry insiders believed the gaming giant might overlook the issue, those hopes were dashed when Nintendo confirmed that a lawsuit had been filed against Pocketpair.
The lawsuit, submitted to the Tokyo District Court on September 18, 2024, alleges that Palworld infringes on multiple Nintendo patents. This action follows a statement made by The Pokémon Company in January, which indicated they were closely monitoring Palworld for potential legal violations.
Nintendo’s Lawsuit Lacks Specifics—For Now
At this time, Nintendo has not revealed the specific patents that Pocketpair allegedly infringed. The company has only stated that it is seeking an injunction to stop further sales and distribution of Palworld, alongside compensation for damages. In a public statement, Nintendo emphasized its commitment to defending its intellectual property:
“Nintendo will continue to take necessary actions against any infringement of its intellectual property rights, including the Nintendo brand itself, to protect the intellectual properties it has worked hard to establish over the years.”
While the lawsuit has been filed, the full extent of Nintendo’s claims will likely come to light if the case proceeds to court.
Pocketpair Responds: “Unaware of Any Specific Infringements”
Following the announcement, Pocketpair released a statement expressing surprise at the lawsuit. According to the Tokyo-based indie developer, they have yet to be informed of the specific patents Nintendo claims have been violated.
Pocketpair maintained that the game underwent several legal reviews before release, and no issues were identified. In their response, the studio reaffirmed its commitment to supporting indie developers, stating:
“We will do everything we can to ensure that indie devs are not hindered or discouraged from pursuing their creative ideas.”
This statement suggests that Pocketpair may be prepared to fight the lawsuit, believing they have not infringed on any of Nintendo’s intellectual property.
What’s Next for Pocketpair and Palworld?
With Palworld continuing to attract players—particularly through platforms like GeForce NOW, where it became available in May 2024—this legal battle could have significant ramifications for Pocketpair’s future. As of now, the outcome of the case remains uncertain, but it marks yet another instance of Nintendo fiercely protecting its intellectual property in the gaming space.
Fans of Palworld and independent developers alike will be closely watching how this legal conflict unfolds in the coming months.
