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Post by JDarkside on Sept 18, 2024 20:12:51 GMT -5
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Post by dsparil on Sept 19, 2024 3:59:25 GMT -5
Japan allows for patenting game mechanics. I'd be surprised if it was for something else, but because of that, it also limits the regional extent somewhat. In the US, they're only listed on 42 patents most of which aren't especially objectionable. The Japan Patent Office (or someone affiliated with them) has a patent search site that'll also try to auto translate the patent text although it's kinda bad so I wouldn't rely on what it says for clear specifics. The Pokémon Company has 271 applications in various steps of the process from applied to denied. Search for 株式会社ポケモン. For example, JP,7545191,B (granted) seems like it's broadly related to Pokémon Legend Arceus and includes capturing Pokémon and battling. JP,2024-055978,A (also granted) is for the riding mechanics specifically. As a side note, I really love the drawings in these. (hopefully this isn't some temporary link)
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Post by JDarkside on Sept 19, 2024 6:40:41 GMT -5
If this is a riding mechanics thing, then their case pretty much relies entirely on the clearly ripped designs for a few of the pals so they can point and say they made a game where you specifically ride Pokemon, which feels weak.
On the other hand...this could just be a scare tactic to get something out of the studio, like money or maybe a revenue split. The Palworld people are not doing well outside the spike of Palworld sales, all their other releases did poorly, and part of the reason for all the bordering on plagiarism designs Palworld had was because of time crunch. If accounts out there are correct, they gave the monster designers absurdly quick time tables because they needed this game to come out sooner than later so the studio had a chance to survive. It's why the game is also so light on narrative as well. I doubt they want to have a legal battle with Nintendo and would rather take any sort of quicker option and put this behind them.
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Post by dsparil on Sept 19, 2024 8:13:50 GMT -5
Those were just examples of recent things that were granted versus just being applied for. The titles of many of these patents are just identical sets of keywords that give no hint as to what they are about. As to Nintendo/TPC's ultimate goal, I lean more towards them actually wanting to throw the book at Pocketpair. Nintendo tends to be a little more measured than they are given credit for since they only tend to outright sue the most brazen. Unless they're lying, Pocketpair's response seems to indicate that this came out of nowhere for them (but are they really surprised?). I assume that since Pocketpair didn't outright steal anything e.g. the model comparisons I've seen are close but not 1-to1 anywhere, a patent suit is the "getting Capone on tax evasion" option.
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