The Pokémon Company successfully defended its intellectual property in a significant legal victory against Chinese companies that infringed on its Pokémon characters. The lawsuit, filed in December 2021, resulted in a $15 million judgment against the defendants who created the game "Pokémon Monster Reissue."
This mobile RPG blatantly copied Pokémon characters, creatures, and core gameplay mechanics, including strikingly similar depictions of Pikachu and Ash Ketchum. The game's icon even used Pikachu artwork from Pokémon Yellow. Advertisements featured Ash, Oshawott, Pikachu, and Tepig, with minimal alterations. Gameplay footage further revealed the use of characters like Rosa from Black and White 2 and Charmander.
While the Pokémon Company doesn't hold exclusive rights to the monster-catching genre, the court ruled that "Pokémon Monster Reissue" crossed the line from inspiration into outright plagiarism. The initial demand for $72.5 million, which also included a public apology, was reduced to $15 million. Three of the six companies involved have reportedly appealed the decision.
The Pokémon Company emphasized its commitment to protecting its intellectual property, ensuring fans worldwide can enjoy Pokémon content without infringement. Former Chief Legal Officer Don McGowan clarified the company's approach to fan projects, stating that legal action is typically reserved for projects that gain significant traction or funding, rather than targeting all fan creations. He cited examples where projects received takedown notices despite limited reach.
McGowan highlighted that the company usually learns about fan projects through media coverage or direct discovery. He likened this to the legal landscape, where attracting media attention can inadvertently bring a project to the company's attention. This case, however, underscores the company's dedication to protecting its iconic brand.
