Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have been denied a patent application targeting touchscreen devices for monster-capturing mechanics similar to those in Pokémon. The rejection by the Japan Patent Office adds to ongoing legal challenges against Palworld developer Pocketpair.
The Japan Patent Office rejected application no. 2026-019762 on 24th April 2026. Examiners concluded the claim described a general monster-catching rule set without any technologically innovative step beyond prior art. Nintendo had amended the claims in February and may attempt further revisions.
