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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallNintendo and The Pokémon Company sued Palworld developer Pocketpair in Japan over alleged patent infringement—not a court finding that Palworld copied Pokémon characters. Pocketpair identified three Japanese patents in a November 2024 update and changed one Palworld summoning mechanic while the case continued. The latest procedural reports in the available record did not establish a judgment, settlement or injunction.
What did Nintendo and The Pokémon Company sue Palworld for?
The companies announced on September 19, 2024, that they had filed a patent-infringement lawsuit against Pocketpair in the Tokyo District Court. Nintendo said it was seeking an injunction against infringement and compensation for damages, alleging that Palworld infringed multiple patent rights.
That makes this a patent case in Japan, not a final copyright ruling about Pokémon-like character designs. The lawsuit announcement states the broad allegation and requested remedies; it does not establish that a court found infringement.
Which patents and damages did Pocketpair identify?
In a November 8, 2024 report, Pocketpair said the plaintiffs had identified three patents. It also reported the damages they were seeking. Those amounts are claims reported by Pocketpair, not money awarded by a court or paid by Pocketpair.
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| Patent number | Claimed damages reported by Pocketpair |
|---|---|
| Japanese patent 7,545,191 | Not stated per patent; Pocketpair reported a separate total claim against each plaintiff. |
| Japanese patent 7,493,117 | Not stated per patent; Pocketpair reported a separate total claim against each plaintiff. |
| Japanese patent 7,528,390 | Not stated per patent; Pocketpair reported a separate total claim against each plaintiff. |
| Plaintiff | Damages sought, as reported by Pocketpair on November 8, 2024 |
|---|---|
| The Pokémon Company | 5 million yen, plus late-payment damages |
| Nintendo Co., Ltd. | 5 million yen, plus late-payment damages |
Pocketpair’s report names the asserted patents but does not, in the material available here, map each patent to a particular Palworld feature or spell out the claims in a way that supports a patent-by-patent explanation of the alleged mechanics.
How did Pocketpair respond?
Its first response
Pocketpair initially said it had not received the complaint and could not confirm the specific patents or claims. It said it would continue supporting Palworld and described itself as a small Tokyo-based indie developer.
Its later account
By November 8, 2024, Pocketpair said it had learned which three patents the plaintiffs identified and what remedies they sought. On May 8, 2025, the company said it remained involved in “prolonged legal proceedings regarding alleged patent infringement.”
What changed in Palworld because of the lawsuit?
Pocketpair’s May 8, 2025 update documented a change made in Patch v0.3.11, released November 30, 2024: players could no longer throw a Pal Sphere to summon a Pal. Instead, the Pal appeared directly beside the player.
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Pocketpair presented this as a product change made while legal proceedings continued. The update does not establish that a court ordered the change or that Pocketpair admitted infringement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Did Nintendo win, and is Palworld still available?
The latest located procedural reporting, dated July 8, 2026, described the case as pending in the Tokyo District Court and said no judgment, settlement or injunction had been issued. A separate July 2026 report listed October 1, 2026, for an evidentiary hearing and November 9, 2026, for an expected decision. The scheduled hearing date is not proof that a hearing took place, and an expected decision date is not a ruling. The available record does not establish a subsequent outcome.
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- Perfect graphic apparel for fans of Video Games, Creature Collecting, Open World Games, Cute Animals, Funny Games, and Pocketpair.
- Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem
The lawsuit record therefore does not establish that Palworld was removed from sale or made unavailable worldwide. It also does not verify current store availability by platform or region. A reader checking whether they can buy or play the game should consult the relevant storefront for their location; the lawsuit itself is not proof of a global ban.
Quick Recap
What the case does—and does not—establish
- Established: Nintendo and The Pokémon Company filed a patent-infringement suit in Tokyo and sought an injunction and damages.
- Reported by Pocketpair: The plaintiffs identified Japanese patents 7,545,191, 7,493,117 and 7,528,390, and sought 5 million yen plus late-payment damages from each plaintiff’s side of the case.
- Documented by Pocketpair: Palworld’s summoning mechanic changed in Patch v0.3.11, released November 30, 2024.
- Not established by the available procedural record: A final finding of infringement, a settlement, an injunction, or the outcome of the hearing scheduled for October 1, 2026.
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