USPTO Rejects Nintendo’s “Sub-Character Summoning” Patent Following Legal Tensions with Palworld Developer

The USPTO has rejected Nintendo's patent for summoning sub-characters in battle. Read how this affects the ongoing legal battle with Palworld creator Pocketpair.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 6, 2026, 10:40 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from GamesIndustry.biz

A Regulatory Hurdle for Nintendo’s Intellectual Property

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has formally rejected a patent application from Nintendo that describes a mechanic where an in-game character summons a "sub-character" to assist in combat. According to reports from Games Fray, the office determined that the proposed patent lacked sufficient novelty, citing combinations of two or three "prior art" references—specifically previously published US patent applications that already cover similar mechanics. While the rejection is currently non-final, it represents a significant obstacle for Nintendo as it seeks to codify its gameplay innovations as protected intellectual property.

The Timeline of the Dispute

Nintendo originally submitted the summoning patent in March 2023. While the USPTO initially approved the submission in September 2025, the office announced a re-examination only two months later in November. Nintendo now has a two-month window to respond to the rejection, with the possibility of an extension should the company decide to file an appeal. This development is part of a broader, global effort by Nintendo to secure patents for mechanics that have long been hallmarks of its Pokémon and Legend of Zelda franchises.

Impact on the Pocketpair Lawsuit

The timing of this rejection is particularly critical given Nintendo and The Pokémon Company’s ongoing lawsuit against Pocketpair, the developer of the viral hit Palworld. Filed in September 2024 at the Tokyo District Court, the lawsuit alleges that Palworld infringes upon "multiple patent rights," specifically those involving monster capture, release, and mount mechanics. Pocketpair has consistently disputed these claims, asserting the invalidity of the patents in question. The USPTO's recent decision may provide Pocketpair with additional leverage in their defense, as it suggests that some of the mechanics Nintendo claims to own may be considered common industry practice.