Nintendo‘s Newly Granted Patents Raise Concerns of Future “Patent Bullying”
Teh recent granting of two patents to Nintendo by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is raising eyebrows within the gaming industry, sparking fears of aggressive legal tactics reminiscent of Nintendo’s past behavior. These aren’t just any patents; the speed and reasoning behind their approval are deeply unusual, leading experts to question the USPTO’s process and predict a chilling effect on game growth innovation.
unprecedented Patent Approvals
patent attorney Robert Sigmon highlighted the anomalies in a recent analysis. Both US Patent No. 12,246,255 and the recently granted ‘397 patent were allowed promptly by the USPTO – a rarity. Typically, patent claims face at least one rejection before approval.
What’s even more striking? The USPTO’s justification for allowing these claims consisted solely of quoting the claims themselves. This lack of substantive reasoning is, according to Sigmon, “extremely unusual and raises a large number of red flags.”
Let’s break down each patent:
* US Pat. No. 12,246,255: This patent was granted without any apparent scrutiny.
* The ‘397 Patent: This patent specifically covers summoning and battling with “sub-characters,” mirroring mechanics found in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet‘s “Let’s Go!” feature. Despite the widespread use of similar mechanics in countless games, it sailed through the USPTO without challenge.
Why This Matters: The Threat of Patent Trolling
It’s impossible to know the internal reasoning of the USPTO examiners. While speculation about negligence is tempting,it remains unsubstantiated without further details. Though, the implications of these patents are clear, especially in light of the recent Palworld controversy.
These patents aren’t necessarily about Nintendo strengthening its own game offerings. They’re about creating legal leverage. As Sigmon explains, even a weak patent claim can be weaponized.
Here’s how it works:
* The Cost of Defense: Defending against a patent infringement lawsuit, even a frivolous one, can cost millions of dollars.
* Stifling Competition: The sheer expense of litigation can discourage smaller developers from pursuing innovative ideas, fearing a costly legal battle with a giant like Nintendo.
* “Patent Bullying”: This tactic, where a company uses patents to intimidate competitors rather than to protect genuine innovation, is a well-documented concern.
A System That Discourages Challenges
the current patent system makes challenging questionable patents increasingly difficult. This creates a landscape where bad patents can cast a “massive shadow” over the industry,hindering creativity and competition. Nintendo, with its substantial resources, is perfectly positioned to exploit this situation.
You can anticipate Nintendo leveraging these patents against competitors in the near future, not necessarily because the claims are strong, but because they can afford to create a legal headache for anyone who dares to innovate in similar spaces.
What This means for You
As a gamer or game developer, this situation should be concerning. It highlights a flaw in the patent system that can ultimately limit your choices and stifle innovation. While we can’t predict the future, the granting of these patents signals a potential increase in legal friction within the gaming industry.
Filed Under: palworld, patents, pokemon, prior art, uspto
Companies: nintendo, pocketpair
![Emerging Tech Leaders: 10 Innovators to Watch in [Year]](https://i0.wp.com/media.assettype.com/analyticsinsight%2F2025-12-26%2Fvsgcf2gh%2FTop-10-Emerging-Tech-Leaders-Who-Redefined-Innovation-in-2025.jpg?resize=330%2C220&ssl=1 "Emerging Tech Leaders: 10 Innovators to Watch in [Year]")
