Nintendo’s 'Summoning and Battling' Patent Under Scrutiny as USPTO Calls for Reexamination
Nintendo, a dominant player in the video game industry and creator of iconic franchises for platforms such as the Nintendo Switch, is facing significant legal headwinds.
In early 2024, Nintendo was granted a United States patent concerning a core gameplay mechanic described as “summoning and battling characters.” Industry observers widely interpreted this patent as a legal tool in Nintendo’s escalating conflict with PocketPair’s popular monster-collection game, Palworld. However, in a notable development, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has officially ordered a reexamination of the patent.
This decision could potentially undermine Nintendo’s legal standing in any prospective lawsuit targeting Palworld or games with similar mechanics.
According to an update first reported by Gamesfray, USPTO Director John A.
Squires stated that “substantial new questions of patentability have arisen” in light of earlier patents that may serve as prior art.
Specifically, Squires referenced a 2002 patent filed by Konami and a 2019 patent from Nintendo itself.
Both patents relate to comparable game mechanics and raise questions regarding the uniqueness and patentability of Nintendo’s latest claim. The review was also prompted, in part, by notable feedback from the gaming community.
According to Squires, widespread concern and criticism emerged over the potential breadth of Nintendo’s patent, with many developers and fans worried it could stifle creative innovation within the monster-taming genre—a category that includes not only Palworld but also popular franchises like Pokémon.
The ambiguity of the patent’s language led many to fear it would give Nintendo excessive leverage over any game featuring monster summoning and battling features. Despite this setback, the patent has not been revoked.
Nintendo has been allotted a two-month window to present arguments to defend the validity of its claim.
The outcome of the reexamination could have major implications for the wider gaming industry, particularly for independent studios and established developers exploring similar mechanics in their own projects. Nintendo’s track record of innovation and aggressive intellectual property protection spans decades, from the early days of console hardware to current blockbusters available via Nintendo Switch and the eShop.
Yet, the current patent dispute underscores the complex intersection of business strategy, intellectual property law, and evolving game design trends.
The industry will be watching closely as the USPTO’s examination unfolds in the coming months. For ongoing updates on this story and more about the implications for Nintendo, Monster Summoning games, and the broader game development community, stay tuned to our platform.
In early 2024, Nintendo was granted a United States patent concerning a core gameplay mechanic described as “summoning and battling characters.” Industry observers widely interpreted this patent as a legal tool in Nintendo’s escalating conflict with PocketPair’s popular monster-collection game, Palworld. However, in a notable development, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has officially ordered a reexamination of the patent.
This decision could potentially undermine Nintendo’s legal standing in any prospective lawsuit targeting Palworld or games with similar mechanics.
According to an update first reported by Gamesfray, USPTO Director John A.
Squires stated that “substantial new questions of patentability have arisen” in light of earlier patents that may serve as prior art.
Specifically, Squires referenced a 2002 patent filed by Konami and a 2019 patent from Nintendo itself.
Both patents relate to comparable game mechanics and raise questions regarding the uniqueness and patentability of Nintendo’s latest claim. The review was also prompted, in part, by notable feedback from the gaming community.
According to Squires, widespread concern and criticism emerged over the potential breadth of Nintendo’s patent, with many developers and fans worried it could stifle creative innovation within the monster-taming genre—a category that includes not only Palworld but also popular franchises like Pokémon.
The ambiguity of the patent’s language led many to fear it would give Nintendo excessive leverage over any game featuring monster summoning and battling features. Despite this setback, the patent has not been revoked.
Nintendo has been allotted a two-month window to present arguments to defend the validity of its claim.
The outcome of the reexamination could have major implications for the wider gaming industry, particularly for independent studios and established developers exploring similar mechanics in their own projects. Nintendo’s track record of innovation and aggressive intellectual property protection spans decades, from the early days of console hardware to current blockbusters available via Nintendo Switch and the eShop.
Yet, the current patent dispute underscores the complex intersection of business strategy, intellectual property law, and evolving game design trends.
The industry will be watching closely as the USPTO’s examination unfolds in the coming months. For ongoing updates on this story and more about the implications for Nintendo, Monster Summoning games, and the broader game development community, stay tuned to our platform.
