Pokémon Company to Investigate Palworld for IP Infringement

The Pokémon Company, the official owner and licensor of the Pokémon franchise, has issued a statement regarding the game Palworld, which was released in January 2024 by another company. The statement claims that the Pokémon Company has not authorized the use of any Pokémon intellectual property or assets and that it plans to take legal action against any violations of its IP rights.

Palworld is a sandbox game that features creatures called Pals, which bear a striking resemblance to Pokémon. The game allows players to capture, breed, trade, and battle Pals, as well as use them for various tasks such as farming, mining, and building. The game also has a darker tone than the Pokémon series, as it depicts Pals being exploited, abused, and killed by humans and other Pals.

The Pokémon Company’s statement reads:

“We have received many inquiries regarding another company’s game released in January 2024. We have not granted any permission for the use of Pokémon intellectual property or assets in that game. We intend to investigate and take appropriate measures to address any acts that infringe on intellectual property rights related to the Pokémon. We will continue to cherish and nurture each and every Pokémon and its world, and work to bring the world together through Pokémon in the future.”

The statement does not mention the name of the game or the company behind it, but it is widely assumed to be referring to Palworld and its developer, Pocketpair. Neither Palworld nor Pocketpair have responded to the statement or the allegations of IP infringement as of yet.

The Pokémon Company is known for being protective of its IP and enforcing its trademarks and copyrights. In the past, it has shut down fan-made games, websites, and apps that used Pokémon assets or names without permission. It has also sued or threatened to sue companies that produced unauthorized merchandise or services based on Pokémon.

The Pokémon Company’s statement has sparked mixed reactions from fans and gamers. Some have expressed support for the Pokémon Company and its right to defend its IP, while others have criticized it for being too aggressive and stifling creativity and innovation. Some have also pointed out the irony of the Pokémon Company accusing another game of IP infringement, given that the Pokémon series itself was inspired by other media such as Godzilla, Ultraman, and Dragon Quest.

Palworld is currently available for PC on Steam, where it has received mostly positive reviews from players. And it’s available on Xbox. The game is still in early access and is expected to receive updates and improvements in the future. It is unclear how the Pokémon Company’s statement and potential legal action will affect the game’s development and availability.

Source