Nintendo’s Palworld Lawsuit On Shaky Ground After Court Rejects Patent

Nintendo’s ongoing patent lawsuit against Palworld developer Pocketpair has encountered a significant hurdle, as the Japan Patent Office (JPO) recently rejected one of Nintendo’s patent applications. The decision, which cited a lack of originality, could have major implications for the legal battle that began just over a year ago.

Nintendo Vs. Palworld: JPO Cites Lack of Originality

In late October 2025, the JPO turned down Nintendo’s patent application (no. 2024-031879), which is part of the same patent family central to its lawsuit against Palworld. A patent examiner determined that the application lacked the originality required to be considered an invention. The JPO pointed to “prior art,” referencing several games released before the patent’s December 2021 priority date, including Monster Hunter 4, ARK: Survival Evolved, and even Pocketpair’s own title, Craftopia.

This specific application is not directly cited in the lawsuit against Pocketpair. However, it is closely related to two other patents that are part of Nintendo’s complaint (JP7493117 and JP7545191). According to industry analysts, the rejected application was a “key building block” in Nintendo’s broader legal strategy to cover a wide range of creature-capture mechanics.

Implications for the Ongoing Lawsuit

While the rejection does not invalidate Nintendo’s existing patents, it creates a potential weakness in their case. If a core component of a patent family is deemed unoriginal, it could lead to increased scrutiny of related patents. This development may strengthen Pocketpair’s defense, as their strategy has been to challenge the validity of Nintendo’s claims. The court’s presiding judge is not bound by the JPO’s decision, but it could influence the proceedings as the case moves forward.

The lawsuit, which alleges that Palworld infringes on three of Nintendo’s patents for creature capture and rideable creature switching, has already faced delays. In July, Nintendo unusually moved to amend another patent (JP7528390) related to a ride-switching system, causing parts of the case to be reexamined. Nintendo has until late December 2025 to appeal the JPO’s recent rejection or amend its application. With these developments, the lawsuit is now expected to extend well into 2026.