Nintendo Patent Under Review

Drama

05 November 2025 07:36

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has launched a rare reexamination of a controversial Nintendo patent that covers a widely used gameplay feature — one where a player-controlled character summons another sub-character to assist in battle within one of two modes.

The move comes directly from USPTO director John A. Squires, who reportedly has concerns about the validity of U.S. Patent No. 12,403,397. While the review doesn’t revoke the patent outright, it signals that the office may ultimately overturn Nintendo’s claim.

Just weeks ago, Nintendo faced a rejection on a separate patent application aimed at protecting the act of capturing creatures or characters in a video game — a mechanic central to the Pokémon franchise. Despite that setback, the company managed to secure this new patent last month, which now faces renewed scrutiny.

According to Games Fray, the Ex Parte Reexamination appears linked to two earlier filings that could count as prior art: one submitted by Konami in 2002 and another by Nintendo itself in 2019. Either could potentially invalidate the newer claim.

Nintendo now has two months to respond to the USPTO order. Other interested parties also have the opportunity to submit arguments challenging the patent. Such direct intervention from the USPTO’s head is considered extremely uncommon.

The timing of the review could have major implications for Nintendo’s ongoing legal fight with Palworld developer Pocketpair. The company filed suit in September 2024, accusing Pocketpair of infringing “multiple patent rights” and seeking “an injunction against infringement and compensation for damages on the grounds that Palworld, a game developed and released by the defendant, infringes multiple patent rights.”

More:Nintendo Rejects Claims of Blocking genAI

Tags: Nintendo

Share:

Sources:

Report mistake Submit news

Related news

View All

Nintendo Rejects Claims of Blocking genAI

Nintendo has publicly denied recent claims that it has been lobbying the Japanese government to protect its intellectual property (IP)...

Drama

Oct 07, 2025

Doug Bowser Will Retire

Nintendo has announced a major leadership change set to take place at the end of 2025. Doug Bowser, current President...

Business

Sep 26, 2025

Nintendo Disallows Titles for Charity

Nintendo has prohibited the use of its titles at RTA in Japan, a prominent Japanese speedrunning charity event, citing unauthorized...

Drama

Aug 06, 2025

Nintendo to Hike Prices

Nintendo has increased the prices of its Nintendo Switch consoles and accessories in the U.S., with consumers now facing up...

Business

Aug 04, 2025

Nintendo Game Boy Announced

LEGO has officially unveiled a new set inspired by one of gaming's most iconic devices: the Nintendo Game Boy. This...

Business

Jul 24, 2025

Nintendo Patent Under Review

Drama

05 November 2025 07:36

Tags: Nintendo

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has launched a rare reexamination of a controversial Nintendo patent that covers a widely used gameplay feature — one where a player-controlled character summons another sub-character to assist in battle within one of two modes.

The move comes directly from USPTO director John A. Squires, who reportedly has concerns about the validity of U.S. Patent No. 12,403,397. While the review doesn’t revoke the patent outright, it signals that the office may ultimately overturn Nintendo’s claim.

Just weeks ago, Nintendo faced a rejection on a separate patent application aimed at protecting the act of capturing creatures or characters in a video game — a mechanic central to the Pokémon franchise. Despite that setback, the company managed to secure this new patent last month, which now faces renewed scrutiny.

According to Games Fray, the Ex Parte Reexamination appears linked to two earlier filings that could count as prior art: one submitted by Konami in 2002 and another by Nintendo itself in 2019. Either could potentially invalidate the newer claim.

Nintendo now has two months to respond to the USPTO order. Other interested parties also have the opportunity to submit arguments challenging the patent. Such direct intervention from the USPTO’s head is considered extremely uncommon.

The timing of the review could have major implications for Nintendo’s ongoing legal fight with Palworld developer Pocketpair. The company filed suit in September 2024, accusing Pocketpair of infringing “multiple patent rights” and seeking “an injunction against infringement and compensation for damages on the grounds that Palworld, a game developed and released by the defendant, infringes multiple patent rights.”

More:Nintendo Rejects Claims of Blocking genAI

Share:

Sources:

Report mistake Submit news