Pokemon Intellectual Property Unofficially Used in Palworld, Raises Concerns and Prompts Investigation
Palworld, the recently launched monster-collecting survival game, has come under scrutiny for its alleged unauthorized use of Pokemon intellectual property. The Pokemon Company has now released an official statement, acknowledging the inquiries it has received regarding Palworld and expressing its commitment to investigate and take necessary measures against any potential infringement.
The statement, available in English on The Pokemon Company’s Japanese corporate site, begins by addressing the numerous inquiries related to another company’s game released in January 2024, presumably referring to Palworld. It explicitly states that no permission has been granted for the use of Pokemon intellectual property or assets in the game. The Pokemon Company emphasizes its intention to thoroughly investigate any acts that infringe on the intellectual property rights associated with Pokemon.
Setting the tone apart from Palworld’s darker theme, the statement concludes with a reaffirmation of The Pokemon Company’s dedication to cherishing and nurturing every Pokemon and its world. It pledges to continue working towards bringing people together through the Pokemon universe in the future.
Nintendo is renowned for its swift actions in protecting intellectual property. This extends to a recent incident where a modder incorporating actual Pokemon characters into Palworld faced a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) notice, allegedly from Nintendo, resulting in the removal of related content from social media platforms.
Despite the controversy surrounding Palworld, the new title has achieved unexpected success, selling over 7 million copies in just five days and registering as the second-highest concurrent player count in Steam history. While the game has captivated a significant audience, diverse reactions across the internet highlight the polarizing nature of this unique monster-collecting survival experience. The extent of The Pokemon Company’s response and potential legal actions against Palworld’s developer remain to be seen.