Japan rejects Nintendo patent for Palworld touchscreen capture

Japan’s Patent Office rejected a fast-tracked patent application from Nintendo that covered a touchscreen capture-and-release mechanic intended for Palworld’s mobile release. The office concluded the filing did not demonstrate an ‘inventive step.’

The application, filed by Nintendo’s Kyoto-based unit, described an interface and touch gestures for capturing and releasing in-game creatures on phones and tablets. Nintendo sought to speed up examination ahead of the game’s release on mobile platforms.

Patent examiners review applications for novelty and an inventive step, which requires technical innovation beyond commonly used methods. The Patent Office judged the touchscreen capture method in Nintendo’s filing to be a variation of existing game controls and interaction patterns and therefore not patentable under current standards.

Nintendo plans to appeal the decision. The company has not provided a timetable for the appeal or detailed changes it might make to the application.

If the appeal is unsuccessful, Nintendo would not be able to obtain patent protection for the specific method described in the current filing. The company could submit a revised application that adds technical features to address the office’s concerns.

Previously, we reported that Pocketpair filed a ‘Palworld Online’ trademark in South Korea and in the U.S. as its legal dispute with Nintendo continues.