Nintendo's Capture Mechanism Patent for Pokémon Denied

Rejection of Nintendo's Pokémon-Like Game Mechanism Patent by JPO over Lack of Originality

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) rejected a patent application from Nintendo and The Pokémon Company aimed at blocking Pocketpair's game, Palworld. The JPO cited a lack of originality, as similar mechanics already existed in games such as Ark: Survival Evolved, Monster Hunter 4, Craftopia (also by Pocketpair), Kantai Collection, and Pokémon Go. This decision validates Pocketpair's argument that the attempted patents were not genuinely innovative. Despite the rejection, Nintendo maintains its position that mods or indie games should not be considered prior art, even as the company faces scrutiny over its patent strategy. On October 17, 2025, the Japan Patent Office rejected patent application number 2024031879. Examiner Kazumasa Nakamura stated that the application did not meet the inventive step criteria under Article 29 (2) of Japan's Patent Law, suggesting that a professional developer could have easily designed Nintendo's ideas based on existing games. Nintendo has until December 17th to respond to the rejection or modify the application. If Nintendo cannot adequately revise its application, the company may appeal the decision in intellectual property court.

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