Nintendo Secures U.S. Patent for Iconic Character Summoning Mechanic Amid Ongoing Palworld Litigation

Nintendo and The Pokemon Company have been granted a patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) covering the gameplay mechanic of summoning a character to battle an enemy by throwing a ball. The patent, numbered 12,403,397, was officially issued on September 2, 2025, following an application filed by Nintendo in March 2023.

This development was first noted by GamesFray and represents a significant reinforcement of Nintendo’s intellectual property portfolio related to its flagship Pokemon franchise. The patented mechanic describes, in detailed and technical language, battle interactions that will be instantly recognizable to Pokemon players worldwide. The patent documentation includes explanatory graphics illustrating the summoning process.

In addition to this, Nintendo was also granted another patent (No. 12,409,387) concerning a mechanism that facilitates the smooth switching or riding of objects within gameplay. This patent is particularly relevant given the ongoing legal dispute involving Palworld, a game developed by Pocketpair.

Nintendo and The Pokemon Company are currently engaged in litigation against Pocketpair, alleging that Palworld infringes on their patents related to gameplay mechanics, specifically those involving the collection and riding of characters. The issuance of these patents may empower Nintendo to pursue further legal action against other developers whose games incorporate similar mechanics.

In response to the lawsuit, Pocketpair made adjustments to Palworld’s gameplay in May, including altering the summoning mechanic. Previously, players could summon 'Pals' by throwing 'Pal Spheres'; this action was modified to a static summon to mitigate legal risks and avoid disruptions to the game's development.

Pocketpair publicly acknowledged the ongoing legal proceedings without naming Nintendo directly. The company stated, "Currently, we remain involved in prolonged legal proceedings regarding alleged patent infringement. We continue to dispute these claims and assert the invalidity of the patents in question. However, we have had to make certain compromises in order to avoid disruptions to the development and distribution of Palworld."

The timing of the patent issuance and the ongoing lawsuit underscores Nintendo’s strategic efforts to protect its intellectual property rights related to core gameplay elements. The summoning mechanic patent specifically centers on the act of players throwing a ball to capture and deploy characters, a hallmark of the Pokemon series.

This legal landscape signals a heightened vigilance by Nintendo and The Pokemon Company in defending their patented gameplay innovations. Developers in the gaming industry may need to carefully evaluate their mechanics to avoid potential infringement claims.

Chris Kerr, news editor at Game Developer and an award-winning reporter with over a decade of experience covering the game industry, contributed to the reporting of this development. Kerr’s extensive coverage includes major industry events such as GDC, PAX Australia, Gamescom, Paris Games Week, and Develop Brighton.

This article was updated shortly after publication to clarify that Nintendo’s patented summoning mechanic specifically involves players throwing a ball to capture and deploy characters, as exemplified in the Pokemon franchise.