Wed Sep 10 20:40:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have been granted a U.S. patent (No. 12,403,397) for a system involving summoning a character to fight another, similar to Pokémon battles. This is linked to another patent (No. 12,409,387) for a “smooth switching of riding objects” mechanism. The patents are speculated to be a move by Nintendo to protect its intellectual property, particularly in light of the popularity of games like *Palworld*, and to deter similar games from competition. The patent was initially filed in March 2023 and issued recently. This occurs amidst a legal dispute between Nintendo/Pokémon and *Palworld*, leading *Palworld* to remove summoning capabilities.
**News Article:**
**Nintendo Patents Pokémon-esque Battle System Amidst Palworld Legal Scuffle**
Redmond, WA – Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have been awarded U.S. Patent No. 12,403,397, covering a system that allows players to summon characters for combat, a mechanic strikingly similar to the battle system found in Pokémon games. The patent, officially approved by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), is also linked to Patent No. 12,409,387, which details a “smooth switching of riding objects” mechanism.
The move comes amid a growing legal dispute between Nintendo and The Pokémon Company against Pocketpair, the developers of the popular creature-collecting survival game, *Palworld*. Some industry analysts speculate that these newly secured patents represent a proactive step by Nintendo to protect its intellectual property and potentially deter further competition in the creature-collecting genre, especially in light of *Palworld’s* rapid success.
“This patent could give Nintendo significant leverage in future legal battles,” said one intellectual property lawyer, speaking on the condition of anonymity. “While the concept of summoning characters for combat isn’t entirely new, Nintendo’s specific implementation, as outlined in the patent, could be broad enough to impact other games.”
The patent application was initially filed in March 2023 and granted this summer before being issued last week. Following a lawsuit from Nintendo/Pokemon, Pocketpair recently removed the ability to summon Pals in *Palworld*, an interesting correlation.
Whether these patents will ultimately stifle innovation in the gaming industry remains to be seen. However, the move clearly signals Nintendo’s intent to aggressively defend its intellectual property and maintain its dominance in the creature-collecting genre.
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