Summary
The Pokemon Company, Guangzhou Machi Network Technology, and their respective affiliates have reached a legal settlement over the mobile gamePocket Monster: Remake, with the court ultimately ruling in favor of The Pokemon Company. Gamers have seen Nintendo and its affiliates involved in various lawsuits over the years, and occasionally, fans disagree with their decisions, but it’s quite easy to spot overlaps between the game produced by the defendants and classicPokemoncontent that made this case worth the trouble.
It’s particularly well known across gaming communities that The Pokemon Company and Nintendo are particularly litigious. If there’s a case to be made for copyright infringement, chances are often that these companies are or already have looked into the matter. One such example of these kinds of events isthe case betweenPalworlddeveloper Pocketpair and The Pokemon Company, although many have disputed the notion that The Pokemon Company is justified in suing Pocketpair. Another situation shows what it looks like when the copyright infringement is more plainly apparent.
Reports from Automatonalong with a newly releasedstatement from The Pokemon Companyshare that it reached a mediated settlement in a copyright infringement case with Guangzhou Machi Network Technology and its subsidiary Khorgos Fangchi Network Technology. This lawsuit began in July 2015 over the mobile gamePocket Monster: Remake, and based on gameplay footage of a battle, it becomes increasingly clear whyThe Pokemon Company and its affiliates dedicated so much time and effort to this case. Many assets and designs present in this game appear to have been directly stripped from thePokemonfranchise, with elements from the anime and games visible throughout, like the characters Ash and May.
The Pokemon Company Receives an Apology for Copyright Infringement
In the gameplay ofPocket Monster: Remake, the player can be seen battling iconic Pokemon like Primal Kyogre, Clefairy, and Primal Groudon, while using their own Primal Kyogre, Arceus, and a somewhat redesigned Latias. In addition to these aspects, the gameplay features a rendition of the original Gym Leader battle themes fromPokemon RedandBlue, as well as battle cries that appear to be stripped directly from existingPokemongames.
The suit closed out as Guangzhou Machi Network Technology and its parent company issued an apology, accepting wrongdoing. The statement further expresses that those involved in the infringement ofintellectual property rights belonging to The Pokemon Companyand related rights holders have reflected on the consequences of their actions, ultimately learning important lessons that will keep them from making the same mistakes in the future.
