The Pokémon Company wins legal battle over copyright-infringing mobile game
Stay Informed
Get Industry News In Your Inbox…
Sign Up Today
The Pokémon Company has reached a mediated settlement in its copyright infringement lawsuit against Chinese mobile game Pocket Monster: Remake.
As reported by Automation West, the settlement follows a September court ruling in The Pokémon Company’s favour. Although two companies initially appealed the decision, the case now appears to be resolved.
The Pokémon Company sought $72 million in damages and public apologies across social media platforms after Pocket Monster: Remake generated over $42m in a single year.
In September, the Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court ruled in favor of The Pokémon Company, ordering the defendants to pay ¥107m ($15m) for unfair competition.
A second hearing on December 18th resulted in a mediated settlement, described as involving “a huge sum”. The companies were also required to issue public apologies online and in print media in China.
Pocket Monster: Remake launched in 2015 and copied Pokémon’s character and creature designs, including Ash Ketchum and Pikachu. The Pokémon Company first filed the lawsuit in December 2021 against multiple companies behind the turn-based mobile title.
More legal battles
Elsewhere, The Pokémon Company and Nintendo are suing Palworld developer Pocket Pair for ¥5m ($32,802) and seeking an injunction.
Initially expected to be a copyright case, the lawsuit which was first raised in September, is now based on patent infringement. Pocket Pair has revealed that The Pokémon Company and Nintendo are pursuing claims related to three specific patents.
Earlier this month, we also reported that Pokémon Go developer Niantic is in talks to sell its games business to Scopely for around $3.5 billion.
The deal, which could be announced in the coming weeks, may include Niantic’s flagship title Pokémon Go along with other mobile games like Monster Hunter Now, Pikmin Bloom, and Peridot.
