The office has revoked the patents related to summoning characters and battles from Nintendo!
The legal battle between Nintendo and PocketPair, the creator of Palworld, has become even more intriguing. In 2025, Nintendo obtained approval for these patents, which immediately sparked controversy. Some lawyers argued that the approvals should never have been granted. Two months later, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) decided to reexamine the patents, which have now been officially revoked. When the lawsuit officially began in September 2024, it was not based on copyright infringement because Palworld bore a striking resemblance to Pokémon.
It was based on patent infringement. Although it initially appeared to be successful – PocketPair made changes to Palworld as a result of the lawsuit – Nintendo did everything in its power to ensure its patent case held up. This included resorting to “flood-like” tactics, such as altering the allegedly infringed patents in the middle of the legal proceedings. The patents approved last September could be seen as such a tactic. Several patent experts agree that the patents should not have been approved, which led USPTO Director John A. Squires to re-examine them. This is a rare occurrence because most patents are not re-examined after initial approval.
It seems Nintendo took on more than it could handle. According to Games Fray, the USPTO has decided to reject all 26 claims of the previously approved patents, which amounts to revocation. The USPTO’s decision is not final yet, and Nintendo has at least two months to respond. The company could file an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, though this process could take longer if Nintendo is granted an extension.
Now, Nintendo must decide whether to enforce these patents and wipe Palworld off the map, or choose a different path. While some believe that Pocketpair and Palworld crossed the line in how they “drew inspiration” from Pokémon, Nintendo’s campaign to destroy the game through legal means seems increasingly hopeless as the case progresses.
We don’t yet know how this will end. Even if these tactics fail, Nintendo could still win the battle. However, once its battle with Pocketpair is over, Nintendo will likely try to shut down another recently unveiled title.
Source: WCCFTech, Games Fray
