Nintendo's Patent Application Rejected Amid Ongoing Legal Battle with Pocketpair

Nintendo has faced a significant setback in its ongoing legal dispute with Pocketpair, the developer of the open-world survival game Palworld. The Japan Patent Office (JPO) has rejected Nintendo's patent application (2024-031879), which sought to claim ownership over a monster capture mechanic similar to that found in Pokémon games. The JPO's decision, issued on October 17, 2025, cited a lack of originality, noting that similar mechanics had been utilized in prior games such as ARK: Survival Evolved (2015), Monster Hunter 4 (2013), and Pokémon Go (2016).

Japan Rejects Nintendo’s Pokémon Monster-Capture Patent Amid Ongoing Palworld LawsuitIGN EntertainmentNintendo’s ‘Monster Capture’ Patent Rejected by Japan Office, Undermining Palworld LawsuitJapan Patent Office rejects Nintendo patent for its Pokémon capture mechanicJapan rejects Nintendo’s attempt to patent the creature-capturing mechanic found in Pokémon

Nintendo and The Pokémon Company filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Pocketpair in September 2024, alleging that Palworld infringes on multiple patents related to monster capture and riding mechanics. The lawsuit is based on three patents, two of which pertain to monster capture and release, and one related to riding characters. These patents were derived from earlier filings dating back to 2021. The rejection of the recent patent application is seen as potentially undermining Nintendo's legal arguments in the ongoing case.

IGN EntertainmentJapan Rejects Nintendo’s Pokémon Monster-Capture Patent Amid Ongoing Palworld LawsuitJapan Patent Office rejects Nintendo patent for its Pokémon capture mechanicCould Palworld triumph over Pokémon in lawsuit? Japan's rejection of Nintendo patent might make things more interestingNintendo’s ‘Monster Capture’ Patent Rejected by Japan Office, Undermining Palworld Lawsuit

The JPO's ruling is non-final, allowing Nintendo the option to amend and resubmit the application or appeal the decision to Japan's Intellectual Property High Court. However, the rejection raises questions about the validity of the related patents being asserted against Pocketpair. Analysts suggest that if one patent in a family is deemed to lack an inventive step, it may indicate similar issues with others in the same group. This situation could bolster Pocketpair's defense, as they argue that their mechanics are part of a long-standing tradition in gaming.

Japanese patent officials reject one of Nintendo's Pokémon patent applications for being too similar to ARK, Monster Hunter, and—embarrasingly—Pokémon Go

Critics of Nintendo's legal strategy argue that the company is pursuing a frivolous lawsuit against a smaller indie developer. Pocketpair has publicly stated its commitment to defending against the claims, emphasizing the importance of protecting creative freedom for smaller studios. The rejection of Nintendo's patent application has fueled speculation that the company's attempts to monopolize creature-capture mechanics may be increasingly unsustainable.

Nintendo’s ‘Monster Capture’ Patent Rejected by Japan Office, Undermining Palworld Lawsuit

Nintendo has not publicly commented on the JPO's decision as of yet. However, intellectual property consultant Florian Mueller noted that the patent examiner's consideration of real-world game precedents significantly raises the stakes for Nintendo. The ongoing legal battle continues to attract attention, with both sides contesting the originality and legality of the gameplay mechanics at the heart of the dispute.

Japanese patent officials reject one of Nintendo's Pokémon patent applications for being too similar to ARK, Monster Hunter, and—embarrasingly—Pokémon Go

As the legal proceedings unfold, Nintendo may choose to amend its patent application or pursue an appeal. Meanwhile, Pocketpair is expected to continue its defense against the lawsuit, potentially leveraging the JPO's rejection to strengthen its position in court. The outcome of this case could have broader implications for the gaming industry, particularly regarding the ownership of gameplay mechanics that have become staples in various titles over the years.

Japanese patent officials reject one of Nintendo's Pokémon patent applications for being too similar to ARK, Monster Hunter, and—embarrasingly—Pokémon Go