Nintendo’s Palworld Patent Rejected by Japan Office After Fan Video Evidence

Nintendo and The Pokémon Company’s patent application for touch-panel monster-capture mechanics was rejected by Japan’s Patent Office on September 3, 2026. The examiner cited a 2013 unauthorized fan-made Pokémon video as evidence that the technology lacked novelty. Nintendo filed an appeal, arguing the fan video constitutes copyright infringement and should not count as valid prior art. This marks a separate legal maneuver from Nintendo’s ongoing patent infringement lawsuit against Palworld developer Pocket Pair, filed in September 2024.

Why the patent was rejected

Japan’s Patent Office rejected application 2026-019762, which covered the mechanism of directing capture items at targets to determine hit probability. The examiner found that a 2013 fan project called Pokemon Generations already demonstrated identical mechanics in video form. Nintendo argued the fan video should be disqualified because it violates copyright law, but the Patent Office ruled that copyright status does not affect novelty assessment in patent law.

Nintendo’s appeal strategy and timeline

On September 3, 2026, Nintendo filed a formal appeal challenging the rejection. The company argues the Patent Office failed to consider the combination of physical and programmatic elements required for the mechanic. Applicants typically have three months to appeal, request a divided application, or abandon the patent entirely. The appeal process may take considerable time, and the outcome remains uncertain.

How this differs from the Pocket Pair lawsuit

This rejected patent application is separate from the three patents Nintendo is actively enforcing against Pocket Pair in Tokyo District Court since September 2024. Those patents cover capture-item targeting, character selection mechanics, and riding mechanics. The new rejection reflects Nintendo’s broader effort to strengthen its position on monster-capture mechanics. Pocket Pair has filed non-infringement claims and invalidity challenges, with proceedings ongoing as of February 2026.

What this means for game developers

The ruling signals that fan-created content, even if technically infringing copyright, can establish prior art in patent disputes. Developers working on collection and breeding mechanics now face uncertainty about which elements Nintendo can protect. The appeal outcome will clarify how broadly patents on core gameplay systems can be enforced across the industry.

Final Thoughts

Nintendo’s patent rejection exposes a paradox: the company cannot simultaneously claim a fan video violates copyright while using it to block its own patent claims. The appeal outcome will shape how narrowly or broadly monster-capture mechanics can be patented, affecting competitors and independent developers for years.

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