The gaming world watches with bated breath as Nintendo secures its third U.S. patent clearly targeting Palworld's mechanics. This latest move, granting patent #12,246,255 in March 2025, covers seamless transitions between ground and aerial mounts—a core feature in Pocketpair's monster-taming hit. It follows Nintendo and The Pokémon Company's (TPC) initial September 2024 lawsuit in Tokyo, which alleged multiple patent infringements. Patent expert Florian Mueller sees this as more than legal posturing; it's a tactical buildup for cross-continental warfare. Why would Nintendo amend previously rejected claims after USPTO discussions? The answer seems chillingly strategic: boxing Pocketpair into a global legal cage where courtroom battles could erupt simultaneously in Japan and America by summer 2025.

The Patent Chessboard

Nintendo's patent maneuvers reveal a calculated escalation:

🛡️ Strategic Amendments: After December 2024's devastating USPTO rejection (22 out of 23 claims denied), Nintendo didn't retreat. Instead, they revised claims and added new ones—tailoring the application like a scalpel against Palworld's mechanics. The pending patent #18/652,883 now hangs over Pocketpair like Damocles' sword.

🌐 Global Domino Effect: Each U.S. patent grant signals intent beyond Japanese courts. Mueller notes timing hinges on #18/652,883's approval, potentially triggering:

• Late spring U.S. lawsuit filings

• Parallel proceedings in Tokyo and American courts

• Pocketpair's unaddressed nightmare: dual-front litigation

📜 Patent Arsenal: Nintendo's anti-Palworld portfolio now includes:

Patent Number	Focus Area	Status
#12,246,255	Mount transition system	Granted (March 2025)
#18/652,883	Amended claims	Pending approval
Undisclosed	Core creature mechanics	Active in Japanese suit

The Bullying Allegations

Mueller's blunt assessment cuts through corporate diplomacy: Nintendo's actions represent "a clear case of bullying." But is it? Critics question whether TPC genuinely fears market erosion or flexes monopolistic muscles against indie innovation. Pocketpair's silence on multi-front battles speaks volumes—perhaps they're reallocating development resources to legal defenses. Yet with Palworld's 2024 sales exceeding 25 million copies, doesn't Nintendo have legitimate IP concerns?

War Drums Beat Louder

As of April 2025, Mueller's grim forecast warns "war appears more likely than peace." Pocketpair's vow to fight rings hollow against Nintendo's patent blitzkrieg. Could settlement talks be happening behind closed doors? Unlikely. Nintendo's patent amendments suggest preparation for drawn-out conflict. The real victims? Gamers awaiting updates as development resources divert to courtrooms.

Industry Shockwaves

This clash reshapes gaming's legal landscape:

• 😰 Indie studios scrutinizing creature-collecting mechanics

• ⚖️ USPTO becoming a battleground for big-tech patent raids

• 💸 Potential Palworld content delays if U.S. injunctions hit

Concept art of patent documents overshadowing game development (Image: xxx)

FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered

❓ Why does Nintendo care about mount transitions?

It's not just about mechanics—it's establishing precedent. If Nintendo proves such systems infringe, they could claim broader ownership over creature-movement innovations.

❓ Could Palworld get delisted?

Possible in worst-case scenarios. U.S. injunctions might force store removals, mirroring Japanese litigation outcomes.

❓ What's Pocketpair's strongest defense?

Prior art evidence showing mount-transition systems existed pre-Pokémon. But Nintendo's patents are hyper-specialized—like patenting a specific type of saddle.

❓ Is Mueller's 'bullying' claim justified?

Context matters. Nintendo rarely sues—but when it does (see: ROM sites, emulators), it obliterates targets. Their scaled patent filings suggest overkill against a single game.

❓ Will this affect Pokémon Scarlet/Violet updates?

Ironically, yes. TPC's legal resources diverting to lawsuits could delay content—proving no one wins in patent wars.