Nintendo’s Recent US Patent Applications Could Spell Trouble For Palworld

It’s no secret that Nintendo loves to flex its legal muscles, especially when it comes to protecting its beloved Pokémon franchise. So, when Palworld—a game described by some as “Pokémon with guns”—caught the attention of Nintendo’s lawyers, things were bound to get messy. Last month, the gaming giant officially took legal action against Palworld developer Pocketpair over alleged patent infringement. And now, things are heating up on the U.S. front with Nintendo filing new patents that may play a critical role in the case.

Nintendo’s new U.S. patent applications—US18/652,874 and US18/652,883—were filed earlier this year, just months before the lawsuit went public. These patents, currently in the review process, seem suspiciously designed to target specific mechanics and elements found in Palworld. According to IP attorney Kirk Sigmon, Nintendo is trying to prove that Pocketpair’s monster-catching mechanics are infringing on their patented Pokémon systems. Nintendo needs to convince the courts that Pocketpair has infringed on something unique to the patent system, not just an abstract idea.

The patents themselves are a bit of a mixed bag. Both filings have faced non-final rejections—one for “lacking subject matter eligibility” and the other for “obviousness.” But don’t count Nintendo out yet. A non-final rejection isn’t a dead end; it’s more like a “try again” from the U.S. Patent Office. Nintendo has until October to respond to these objections and potentially tweak their claims.

For Pocketpair, these patent challenges could be a serious headache. If Nintendo gets their way, Palworld could face significant design changes, or worse, get taken off the market entirely. But there’s still a glimmer of hope for the indie dev. As Sigmon points out, if Nintendo’s patents are too broad, Pocketpair could argue that the mechanics in question have existed in games for years, potentially nullifying the claims.

In the meantime, it’s safe to say Nintendo’s legal team is hard at work prepping for more battles ahead. Stay tuned to see how this courtroom drama unfolds—and don’t forget to check out Palworld’s latest trailer to see what all the fuss is about.