On May 8, Pocketpair, the developer and publisher of the open-world game Palworld, released a detailed official statement regarding the ongoing patent infringement lawsuit filed by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company in September 2024. The update was shared via the game’s official website and X (formerly Twitter) account, addressing both legal proceedings and the resulting in-game system changes.

“We deeply appreciate the support we’ve received from fans worldwide during this difficult time,” the statement begins. “Due to the nature of the litigation, we have been limited in what we could share in recent months, but we now wish to clarify the current situation and our stance.”

Developer's Position on the Lawsuit

Pocketpair firmly states:

“We are confident that Palworld does not infringe on any of the patents asserted by the plaintiffs. We are also challenging the validity of the patents in question.”

However, to ensure that the game can continue development and distribution regardless of the lawsuit’s outcome, Pocketpair has made proactive design changes to clearly avoid any perceived patent conflicts.

System Changes Made for Legal Clarity

The team notes that as of Patch v0.3.11 (released on November 30, 2024), the ability to “summon Pals by throwing a Pal Sphere” has been removed, replaced with a new system where “Pals appear directly beside the player.” This adjustment, they confirmed, was made specifically in response to the lawsuit.

Additionally, more changes have been made in subsequent patches:

In Patch v0.5.5, gliding using Glider Pals will be replaced with the use of a glider item, though Pals will still contribute passive buffs to the glider’s functionality. Players must equip the glider from their inventory to use it.

“These were painful decisions to make,” Pocketpair admits, “but they were necessary to secure the future of Palworld.”

Summary of Legal Action

1. Allegations
Nintendo and The Pokémon Company claim that Palworld infringes on three Japanese patents, and are seeking:

A court-ordered suspension of the game’s distribution

¥5 million in damages (approx. $33,000 USD) plus interest, to be paid to each company

2. Targeted Patents
Patent No. 7545191 – Filed July 30, 2024 / Registered August 27, 2024

Patent No. 7493117 – Filed February 26, 2024 / Registered May 22, 2024

Patent No. 7528390 – Filed March 5, 2024 / Registered July 26, 2024

Pocketpair has argued that none of these patents are applicable to Palworld, and further asserts that the patents themselves are invalid.

Moving Forward

Despite legal pressure, the studio affirms its commitment:

“We will continue doing our utmost to deliver fun and exciting experiences through Palworld. Thank you for your continued support.”

The studio ended its statement with a heartfelt apology to players for any inconvenience caused by the changes, while expressing appreciation for their patience and understanding.

Source : ORICON NEWS