Nintendo recently faced a setback in Japan regarding its legal battle with Pocketpair over the game Palworld. The Japan Patent Office has turned down Nintendo’s application relating to its monster-catching mechanics. This particular patent involves how players aim and throw objects to capture creatures or start battles.
According to a report from GameFray, the patent (application no. 2024-031879) was rejected because it lacked an inventive step. This decision was based on “prior art” — previously existing technologies or designs that influenced the examination. For example, the survival game ARK was cited as a reference point. The office noted that the features claimed could have been easily created by someone skilled in the field.
The Notice of Reasons for Refusal, dated October 22, 2025, highlighted that the concepts were not novel. Evidence against the patent included a video from ARK where a character uses a throwing mechanic, drawing comparisons to Palworld‘s gameplay. Other games also mentioned in the context were Craftopia, Monster Hunter 4, and Pokémon GO.
This rejection isn’t final. Nintendo can modify and resubmit its application. However, it raises concerns for the broader case since issues with one patent can often reflect problems with others in the same family.
In a survey conducted by the Patent Office in 2023, 68% of respondents believed patent laws should adapt to new technologies, reflecting a growing skepticism towards traditional patent claims in dynamic fields like gaming.
Nintendo initially filed a lawsuit against Pocketpair in September 2024, seeking to halt the alleged infringement and secure damages. Since then, Palworld has changed certain gameplay mechanics in response to these legal challenges. Despite the ongoing lawsuit, Pocketpair is still contemplating a release on the upcoming Switch 2, which they have mentioned with hopeful anticipation.
In light of this situation, it seems that the gaming industry will continue to evolve, pushing the boundaries of innovation while navigating the complexities of intellectual property. As Nintendo responds to the patent office’s decision, it will be interesting to see how this impacts their strategy moving forward.
For more details on gaming patents and their implications, check out reports from trusted sources like GameFray and the latest from the Japan Patent Office for insights on legal trends in technology.
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Nintendo, Pokemon, Palworld, Legal
