Nintendo, Pokemon sue ‘Palworld’ producer for patent infringement

TOKYO (Reuters) – Nintendo and The Pokemon Company have filed a patent infringement lawsuit against the producer of hit survival adventure game “Palworld”, the companies said on Thursday.

The lawsuit, filed with the Tokyo District Court on Wednesday, seeks an injunction and compensation for damages on the grounds that the game, produced and released by Tokyo-based Pocketpair Inc, infringes multiple patent rights.

Palworld, dubbed “Pokemon with guns”, became a breakout hit with more than 25 million players within a month of its release in mid-January. In the game, players can use guns to capture and train cute creatures known as “pals”.

Pocketpair representatives did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

The Pokemon Company said in January it would investigate and take action over any infringement of intellectual property rights.

Pocketpair in July announced the establishment of a joint venture company, Palworld Entertainment Inc, in collaboration with Sony (NYSE:SONY) Music Entertainment and Aniplex Inc to promote the licensing business of Palworld globally.