Nintendo's Patent for In-Game Character Summoning Rejected by US Patent Office

The US Patent and Trademark Office has overturned its previous decision to grant Nintendo a patent for a gaming mechanism that allows a character to call upon a secondary character for assistance during battles. This rejection is based on prior art references from published US patent applications. The decision is not yet final, giving Nintendo a two-month window to respond, with the possibility of extension if an appeal is filed. The patent application in question was first submitted by Nintendo in March 2023 and received initial approval in September 2025, before the office announced it would be re-examining the application in November. This development comes amidst Nintendo's ongoing lawsuit against Pocketpair, filed in September 2024, alleging patent infringement by Pocketpair's game Palworld. Nintendo sought an injunction and damages, claiming Palworld infringed on multiple patent rights, including those related to capturing and releasing monsters, as well as mounts. Pocketpair acknowledged the lawsuit and expressed its intention to investigate the claims and proceed with legal action, although it stated it had not been informed which specific patents were allegedly infringed. Despite the ongoing litigation, Pocketpair announced plans for Palworld to exit early access in 2026. The game's developer had previously made changes to the game's mechanics, including how users glide and interact with 'Pals,' citing the need to avoid disruptions to the game's development and distribution. Nintendo has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting its intellectual property, stating it will take necessary actions against any infringement. In a separate development, the Japan Patent Office denied Nintendo's application for a patent related to its capture-and-release mechanic in October 2025.