Nintendo obtains new Patent in US

[McGoodGreen]

So, lots of people were feeling pretty confident Pocket Pair was gonna be able to climb over the Patent issues they were facing in Japan, or at least minimize damages since courts over in Japan are notorious for approving pretty ridiculous patents and surely here in the US we would be more just.

But Nintendo just scored a US patent that also seems to aim to protect "Pokemon" mechanics. I think we can confidently start saying just because Pocketpair has found success here in the West it doesn't mean it is a safe haven if legal proceedings hit the fan.

Identified by U.S. patent number 12,220,638, the patent, published on February 11, describes a gameplay system for capturing creatures. The invention is conceptually similar to a USPTO patent (no. 12,179,111) that Nintendo already secured at the tail end of 2024, with both of them being part of the patent family that's at the center of the Palworld lawsuit.

When Nintendo and The Pokémon Company filed for this patent application in July 2024, they knew the original Palworld, which was already about six months old. But they did not know the changes that Pocketpair made to Palworld in December 2024, Those changes being the infamous removal of Pal throw summons.

This new patent approval paves the way for Nintendo to bring this legal battle into the US, which means they are prepared to throw even more money at this. The changes are obviously aimed at Palworld even though this is all a continuation of a December 2021 application, with the continuation application having been filed in September 2022.

It is too early to say whether Nintendo can actually get any value out of two recent U.S. patents on catching characters and launching fighting characters. but it is very likely even if they don't add a lot to the fight that Nintendo is gearing up to sue Pocketpair in the US as well.

See below a significant portion of the US patent, and the broadest of the claims within it. Remember this is U.S. Patent No. 12,220,638 ( granted February 11, 2025). This builds upon and further explores things brought up in U.S. Patent No. 12,179,111 (December 31, 2024).

1. A method for game processing implemented via an information processing system having at least one processor, the method comprising:

generating data for display of a player character and a first virtual character disposed in a virtual space;

determining an aiming direction based on a direction input; and

in association with the player character performing a first game action:

generating data for display of a first aiming point associated with the aiming direction;

generating data for display of an indicator indicating a likelihood of success of the player character obtaining the first virtual character;

selecting an obtaining item, from a plurality of obtaining items, by performing a first operation input;

generating data for display of the player character launching, in the aiming direction, the obtaining item for obtaining the first virtual character in the virtual space, based on a second operation input;

determining obtaining of the first virtual character, by the player character, as successful in association with the obtaining item arriving with a vicinity of the first virtual character; and

generating data for display of setting the first virtual character as being in possession by the player character in association with determining the first virtual character as successfully obtained, and

in association with the player character performing a second game action:

generating data for display of a second aiming point associated with the aiming direction;

generating data for display of the player character launching, in the aiming direction, a first virtual object representing the obtained first virtual character, based on a third operation input; and

generating data for display of the first virtual character and a second virtual character starting fighting against each other in the virtual space.

[Derpykat5]

Worth noting that the US (as far as I'm aware) doesn't allow retroactive patent suits, unlike Japan. So while Nintendo did obtain the patent legitimately (as it goes to whoever filed it first and not whoever made the thing being patented first) Palworld should be safe from a suit... but any future Palworld games or Palworld-esque material is effectively banned.

But then, I'm no legal expert. I'm probably wrong.

[Neitsuke]

The US patent laws are a lot more set in stone
The mechanic has to be novel, and to infringe on one you have to copy exactly everything or at the very least the majority of it. Palworld does none of that
Quick example. Tetris patents how their game works. You can easily make your own Tetris game, call it Triptris and have shapes using 3 squares instead of 4. Change how the score works a little, and the play area too, and Tetris has no legal grounds to take them on patent charges

[FSHerrante]

I think that at some point it would be easy to cheat these patents by slightly altering the game mechanics.

The impact on the player would be barely noticeable. The system would be "similar but different."

The only catch is that PocketPair would have to patent each of these systems before releasing them.

[Dooks]

they really chafed your tail didn't they!
well done Pocket Pair on making a fun game
and the coping and seething has been truly popcorn worthy!

[Killial]

So it's normal practice that similar or very similar mechanics already existed before, and that these patents are created after lawsuits have been created?

I'm starting to wonder why don't just make a simple game and patent the WASD controls, just to piss everyone off, if it's that simple. There is no problem, everyone always has ESDF or the ability to simply force the player to always change controls when the game is first launched.
Or patent charged projectile throws by holding and releasing a key. Or zooming in on the camera by holding the right mouse button if the character is holding a firearm. Or the ability to interact with NPCs/pets/summons currently following the player via the action selection wheel. Or the ability for summons to automatically leave the battlefield after falling. Or patent the shape of the players' grenades or support items in the form of a sphere. atc.
Why hasn't anyone come up with such funny ideas yet?..

[Tommy Aoi]

nintendo Sucks. >_>

[tigerfestival1988]

Why the ♥♥♥♥ is Nintendo so ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ scared of Palworld? ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥!!!!

[funewchie]

Escrito originalmente por tigerfestival1988:

Why the ♥♥♥♥ is Nintendo so ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ scared of Palworld? ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥!!!!

Cause they know one cares about Switch 2.
The reveal led to a couple "oohs" and "ahhs"... then everyone moved on, not giving two craps.

Nintendo was banking on Pokemon Legends Palworld ripoff ZA- to carry the Switch 2, and maybe dangle the Metroid Prime 4 carrot some more.
(both of which will absolutely run like dog crap on that console)

By now, they've probably tried some test runs on their games and realized "...oh, crap".
So now, they gotta kill all competition, so people will put their heads down and keep flinging money at them.
Nintendo's a dying breed (and about time, too), they just don't want to accept the truth.

[AquaX]

Escrito originalmente por tigerfestival1988:

Why the ♥♥♥♥ is Nintendo so ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ scared of Palworld? ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥!!!!

Super easy, Pocket Pair has teamed up with Sony and if you have been in the gaming world, you know the beef between Sony and Nintendo. Heck I am pretty the lawsuit from Nintendo was a preventative measure to stop Sony from testing how much they can get away with.

[tigerfestival1988]

Escrito originalmente por funewchie:

Escrito originalmente por tigerfestival1988:

Why the ♥♥♥♥ is Nintendo so ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ scared of Palworld? ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥!!!!

Cause they know one cares about Switch 2.
The reveal led to a couple "oohs" and "ahhs"... then everyone moved on, not giving two craps.

Nintendo was banking on Pokemon Legends Palworld ripoff ZA- to carry the Switch 2, and maybe dangle the Metroid Prime 4 carrot some more.
(both of which will absolutely run like dog crap on that console)

By now, they've probably tried some test runs on their games and realized "...oh, crap".
So now, they gotta kill all competition, so people will put their heads down and keep flinging money at them.
Nintendo's a dying breed (and about time, too), they just don't want to accept the truth.

It's Nintendo's own damn fault for milking the Switch far longer than neccessary that it lead to someone leaking it and killing whatever potential hype it had going for it, also doubt Pokemon Legends ZA will be anything worthwhile too, even if it's a launch title. It's just going to be Pokemon Legends Arceus, just with an X and Y motif.

Escrito originalmente por AquaX:

Escrito originalmente por tigerfestival1988:

Why the ♥♥♥♥ is Nintendo so ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ scared of Palworld? ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥!!!!

Super easy, Pocket Pair has teamed up with Sony and if you have been in the gaming world, you know the beef between Sony and Nintendo. Heck I am pretty the lawsuit from Nintendo was a preventative measure to stop Sony from testing how much they can get away with.

Yeah I figured Sony stepping in, would make Nintendo ♥♥♥♥ themselves, seriously Nintendo needs to get over it, they ♥♥♥♥♥♥ up, when they decided to team up with Sony back in the 1990's and now Nintendo is trying to destroy a great game, over some beef from over 30 years ago, honestly it's just straight up sad, and honestly if Nintendo loses in both the US and Japanese courts, it will be a big slap in the face to them and their army of stans.

[White Rabbit Alice]

Escrito originalmente por Irene ❤:

The case already settled, damage amount revealed to be a generous 64k vs 500M profit (0.0001%). N won an exclusive reserve to creature location summon. Palworld can still use balls to catch, catch rate, hidden IV, passives, rare shiny, breeding, riding, gliding and so many, many systems.

Not sure why the youtubers and no brainers kept on trying to make people worried. Ohh US patent. Ohhh N is evil. Ohhh N wants to destroy the game industry. Even after a year those people never progress. N play the victim card and blame palworld for copying their decades of hard work. Judge said they can keep 1 or 2 designs. Simple as that. Fair enough. Nothing more.

In 2025 Pocketpair have become a publisher. It will help to fund new games. With a strong capital of 500M, it means thousand of games can each gain 500k+ support. As soon as those games are able to sell, palworld can make billions from commission. The real king will continue to be more powerful, while the clickbait youtuber clowns forever a clown trying to gossip endlessly on patent.

just to build on that developer bit, heres their site if anyone wants to see to help em ease their mind

https://www.pocketpair.jp/publishing

[funewchie]

Escrito originalmente por Irene ❤:

The case already settled, damage amount revealed to be a generous 64k vs 500M profit (0.0001%). N won an exclusive reserve to creature location summon. Palworld can still use balls to catch, catch rate, hidden IV, passives, rare shiny, breeding, riding, gliding and so many, many systems.

Not sure why the youtubers and no brainers kept on trying to make people worried. Ohh US patent. Ohhh N is evil. Ohhh N wants to destroy the game industry. Even after a year those people never progress. N play the victim card and blame palworld for copying their decades of hard work. Judge said they can keep 1 or 2 designs. Simple as that. Fair enough. Nothing more.

In 2025 Pocketpair have become a publisher. It will help to fund new games. With a strong capital of 500M, it means thousand of games can each gain 500k+ support. As soon as those games are able to sell, palworld can make billions from commission. The real king will continue to be more powerful, while the clickbait youtuber clowns forever a clown trying to gossip endlessly on patent.

Hate to break it to you, but Nintendo is seeking A COURT INJUNCTION.
Meaning they're seeking to BAN Palworld.

The money is irrelevant, when they can have the government(s) literally forbid Palworld from doing business, ever again.

[McGoodGreen]

Escrito originalmente por Irene ❤:

The case already settled

I have seen absolutely nothing to suggest anything has been settled. We got some details about the lawsuit, that was it. Even the updates in December to remove summoning mechanics to counter the legal case is only a theory, albeit very likely the case.

I wouldn't write off these recent patents as having no teeth. As much as everyone wants to believe the US will handle this better...money talks, and the fact they got the patents approved at all isn't a stellar sign.

I would urge everyone to continue putting the pressure on Nintendo and spreading the facts so people can see the real side of the corporation and not just the family friendly facade they wanna hide behind.

[White Rabbit Alice]

Why didint Nintendo Sue for the Glider or whatever when Craftopia had alot of BOTW Stuff before Palworld was even brought up into Development?

[tigerfestival1988]

Escrito originalmente por funewchie:

Escrito originalmente por Irene ❤:

The case already settled, damage amount revealed to be a generous 64k vs 500M profit (0.0001%). N won an exclusive reserve to creature location summon. Palworld can still use balls to catch, catch rate, hidden IV, passives, rare shiny, breeding, riding, gliding and so many, many systems.

Not sure why the youtubers and no brainers kept on trying to make people worried. Ohh US patent. Ohhh N is evil. Ohhh N wants to destroy the game industry. Even after a year those people never progress. N play the victim card and blame palworld for copying their decades of hard work. Judge said they can keep 1 or 2 designs. Simple as that. Fair enough. Nothing more.

In 2025 Pocketpair have become a publisher. It will help to fund new games. With a strong capital of 500M, it means thousand of games can each gain 500k+ support. As soon as those games are able to sell, palworld can make billions from commission. The real king will continue to be more powerful, while the clickbait youtuber clowns forever a clown trying to gossip endlessly on patent.

Hate to break it to you, but Nintendo is seeking A COURT INJUNCTION.
Meaning they're seeking to BAN Palworld.

The money is irrelevant, when they can have the government(s) literally forbid Palworld from doing business, ever again.

Escrito originalmente por McGoodGreen:

Escrito originalmente por Irene ❤:

The case already settled

I have seen absolutely nothing to suggest anything has been settled. We got some details about the lawsuit, that was it. Even the updates in December to remove summoning mechanics to counter the legal case is only a theory, albeit very likely the case.

I wouldn't write off these recent patents as having no teeth. As much as everyone wants to believe the US will handle this better...money talks, and the fact they got the patents approved at all isn't a stellar sign.

I would urge everyone to continue putting the pressure on Nintendo and spreading the facts so people can see the real side of the corporation and not just the family friendly facade they wanna hide behind.

Escrito originalmente por White Rabbit Alice:

Escrito originalmente por Irene ❤:

The case already settled, damage amount revealed to be a generous 64k vs 500M profit (0.0001%). N won an exclusive reserve to creature location summon. Palworld can still use balls to catch, catch rate, hidden IV, passives, rare shiny, breeding, riding, gliding and so many, many systems.

Not sure why the youtubers and no brainers kept on trying to make people worried. Ohh US patent. Ohhh N is evil. Ohhh N wants to destroy the game industry. Even after a year those people never progress. N play the victim card and blame palworld for copying their decades of hard work. Judge said they can keep 1 or 2 designs. Simple as that. Fair enough. Nothing more.

In 2025 Pocketpair have become a publisher. It will help to fund new games. With a strong capital of 500M, it means thousand of games can each gain 500k+ support. As soon as those games are able to sell, palworld can make billions from commission. The real king will continue to be more powerful, while the clickbait youtuber clowns forever a clown trying to gossip endlessly on patent.

just to build on that developer bit, heres their site if anyone wants to see to help em ease their mind

https://www.pocketpair.jp/publishing

Guys don't respond to Irene, they're nothing but a troll, block them then move on with your life.