Patent Shenanigans: When Summoning Becomes a Legal Circus
In a plot twist worthy of its own video game, the head honcho of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has decided to throw a wrench in the gears of a certain gaming giant’s latest acquisition of a US patent. This patent, of course, pertains to a gameplay mechanic that most gamers recognize as “Hey! Look, I can summon a character to do my battling for me!”
This wildly popular mechanic got its start in September when a certain well-known entity was granted a US patent covering the action of summoning another character, presumably to serve as an in-game proxy fighter. Because why battle yourself when you can make a digital critter do it for you? Just ask any trainer in a Pokémon game!
But hold onto those joy-cons, because USPTO director John A. Squires decided to don his detective hat and personally order a re-examination of this acclaimed patent. It seems that upon consulting the mystical scrolls of previous patents, he found some plot holes that could render this patent as useful as a cardboard box in a rainstorm.
Old Patents and New Questions
Specifically, Squires has pointed to two previously granted patents—Yabe from 2002 and Taura from 2020—that could potentially spoil the patent party for everyone involved. Squires claimed he found “substantial new questions of patentability,” which is lawyer-speak for “uh-oh, did someone forget to do their homework?”
To put it plainly, this re-examination hinges on the idea of letting a sub-character fight automatically or manually alongside the player. It sounds like a fancy way of saying, “Why not let your sidekick shoulder the burden of battling while you think about what to have for dinner?”
The Yabe patent, given to Konami back in the hazy days of 2002, clearly indicates that allowing a sub-character to lend a hand (or a tentacle) in battles isn’t exactly a groundbreaking idea. Meanwhile, the Taura patent—which also comes courtesy of the illustrious gaming giant—claims a similar mechanic. So, one must wonder, could Nintendo be hoisted by its own petard in the form of a patent war? Or is this merely an entertaining legal rodeo?
The Fine Line Between Inspiration and Litigation
One juicy tidbit emerging from this saga is the chatter among the gaming community about the potential for a slew of lawsuits. The concern is that the new patent could pave the way for Nintendo to go after any company trying to implement a summoning mechanic, putting beloved series like Persona on the chopping block. Quite the dramatic twist, don’t you think?
Interestingly enough, in the realm of patents, the rules are not quite as unforgiving as those surrounding trademarks. A company can sit back and sip their beverage of choice instead of enforcing their patent rights unless they feel genuinely threatened. Nintendo is no stranger to the litigation game, having slapped some legal woes on developers like Pocketpair for their adorable creature-catching game, Palworld, which allegedly infringes on three related patents.
In Conclusion: A Battle of Wits
In a riveting twist, Nintendo was recently denied a patent in Japan for a capturing mechanic akin to those found in Pokémon games. The Japan Patent Office cited numerous examples, suggesting those ideas had been around longer than a consumer’s Wi-Fi password. Will this patent saga continue to unfold like a beloved RPG storyline? Only time will tell. But for now, grab some popcorn and stay tuned—this legal drama is far from over!
