The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has already ordered a reexamination of a Nintendo patent related to video game technology. The order concerns U.S. Patent No. 12,403,397 B2 and does not, by itself, mean the patent has been revoked. A report of a later non-final rejection is not a final decision.
What the USPTO ordered
On November 3, 2025, the USPTO Director ordered reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 12,403,397 B2. The agency described it as a patent “which relates to video game technology.” The USPTO corrected its original alert the following day because it had listed the wrong patent number; the corrected notice identifies the patent as 12,403,397 B2. USPTO correction notice
The USPTO Official Gazette lists the matter as director-ordered reexamination No. 90/020,162. USPTO Official Gazette
What reexamination does—and does not—mean
A reexamination is a patent-office proceeding to revisit a patent’s claims. Ordering one opens that review; it is not a finding that the patent is invalid, nor does the order alone settle whether the claims will remain in force. The USPTO’s notice confirms the order, not its ultimate outcome.
#1 Best Overall
- 50+ Pokemon Cards
- 5 Holos Guaranteed minimium per order
- 1 GX, EX, V, VMax, Full Art, Tag Team, or Secret Rare
PC Gamer reported on April 1, 2026, that a non-final action rejected the patent claims. A non-final action is a procedural development, not a final determination that the patent has been revoked. The report should not be treated as the latest official status: the current disposition of proceeding 90/020,162 is not established here. PC Gamer’s April 1, 2026 report
How this differs from the Palworld lawsuit
The USPTO review is separate from Nintendo and The Pokémon Company’s patent-infringement lawsuit against Pocketpair, the developer of Palworld. The companies announced that they filed the case in Tokyo and sought an injunction and damages over alleged patent infringement. That is Japanese court litigation; the U.S. reexamination is a proceeding before the USPTO. One does not decide the other. The Pokémon Company’s announcement
Rank #2
- The Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution—Pitch Black Elite Trainer Box includes 9 Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution—Pitch Black booster packs and 1 full-art foil promo card featuring Zarude.
- This also comes with 65 card sleeves, 40 Pokémon TCG Energy cards, and a player’s guide to the Mega Evolution—Pitch Black expansion.
- You will also get a competition-legal coin-flip die, 6 damage-counter dice, and a plastic coin.
- You will also find a collector’s box to hold everything, with 6 dividers to keep it organized and a code card for Pokémon Trading Card Game Live.
| Proceeding | Where and who | What it addresses | What is established |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patent reexamination No. 90/020,162 | United States; USPTO | Review of U.S. Patent No. 12,403,397 B2 | Director-ordered November 3, 2025; the order itself is not a final outcome. USPTO Official Gazette |
| Patent-infringement lawsuit | Japan; Tokyo court, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company against Pocketpair | Alleged infringement by Palworld and requested court remedies | The companies announced they sought an injunction and damages. The Pokémon Company’s announcement |
What is known about the latest status
The cited official notice and Gazette establish that the reexamination was ordered and identify its proceeding number. The April 2026 report describes a non-final action, but it does not establish the proceeding’s final disposition as of October 8, 2026. For a current outcome, consult the USPTO Patent File Wrapper or Open Data Portal record for proceeding 90/020,162 rather than inferring that the patent has been finally invalidated.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution—Pitch Black Booster Bundle contains six booster packs from Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution—Pitch Black.
- This is a great option for getting into the new Choas Rising expansion.
- A great gift for the Pokémon collector or player in your life.
Rank #3
- 50 assorted Pokemon cards
- Bundle with an LCC deck box that holds upto 100 Pokemon cards
- 1 Double rare legendary Pokemon card
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
