Pokémon Company Wins Major Copyright Lawsuit Against Chinese Mobile App Developers

The Pokémon Company, legendary for its global success with the Pokémon Video Game Series on platforms like the Nintendo Switch, has achieved a significant legal triumph.

The company emerged victorious in a high-profile copyright infringement case against two Chinese mobile app developers, sending a clear message about the importance of intellectual property (IP) protection in the gaming industry. Background: A Case Years in the Making The legal dispute centered on the mobile application 'Pocket Monster: Remake', also known as 'Pocket Monster: Issue/Reissue', developed by Guangzhou Maichi Network Technology and Khorgos Fangchi Network Technology.

The Pokémon Company (TPC) initiated legal action in 2022, alleging that the app blatantly copied assets and gameplay from the Pokémon franchise.

TPC sought damages totaling approximately £60 million (roughly $70 million USD), asserting that the mobile game infringed on copyrighted material and engaged in unfair competition by leveraging the fame of the original Pokémon titles. Legal Resolution in Chinese Courts The case saw significant developments last September when a Chinese court ruled in favor of The Pokémon Company.

Despite an appeal from the app’s developers, the proceedings concluded last week with a definitive judgment upholding the initial decision.

While the financial terms of the settlement remain undisclosed, The Pokémon Company confirmed via a statement on its corporate website that the defendants paid "a substantial economic price" and experienced "significant reputational damage." In a formal apology, Guangzhou Maichi Network Technology and Khorgos Fangchi Network Technology acknowledged their use of "design elements of the well-known Pokémon Video Game Series" and conceded that their app had "unfairly taken advantage of the fame and reputation of Pokémon Video Games." The companies admitted that their actions constituted copyright infringement and unfair competition, resulting in economic losses for the rightful owners and harm to the image of the revered Pokémon brand. Commitment to IP Protection The joint statement emphasized that, following guidance from the High People’s Court of Guangdong Province, the developers recognized the extent of their legal violations.

Both companies pledged to prioritize intellectual property protection and avoid future infringements related to the Pokémon franchise or other protected works.

The offending app has now been fully removed from distribution. Industry Implications This successful legal action underscores The Pokémon Company and Nintendo’s ongoing efforts to safeguard their intellectual property rights.

As the popularity of Pokémon—bolstered by recent hits like Pokémon Scarlet and Violet on the Nintendo Switch—continues to draw imitators worldwide, the companies are dedicating resources to combat unauthorized clones and maintain the integrity of their globally recognized brands. While legal proceedings involving Palworld developer Pocketpair remain active, this victory sets a significant precedent in the global gaming sector and highlights the continuing vigilance of TPC and Nintendo in protecting the creative assets that have defined their success.

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