The Pokémon Company successfully defended its intellectual property, winning a $15 million judgment against Chinese companies for copyright infringement. This follows a lawsuit filed in December 2021, alleging blatant copying of Pokémon characters, creatures, and gameplay in the mobile RPG, "Pokémon Monster Reissue."
The Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court ruled in favor of The Pokémon Company. While the award was less than the initially requested $72.5 million, it serves as a strong deterrent against future copyright infringement. The case highlights the significant resemblance between "Pokémon Monster Reissue" and the original Pokémon franchise, including character designs (Pikachu, Ash Ketchum), gameplay mechanics (turn-based battles, creature collection), and even the app icon.
The game's promotional materials further emphasized the infringement, featuring characters like Oshawott and Tepig. Gameplay footage showcased familiar Pokémon and characters such as Rosa from Pokémon Black and White 2 and Charmander. While acknowledging the existence of other monster-collecting games, The Pokémon Company argued that "Pokémon Monster Reissue" went beyond inspiration and constituted blatant plagiarism.
Image from perezzdb on YouTube
Three of the six companies involved have reportedly filed appeals. The Pokémon Company reiterated its commitment to protecting its intellectual property, ensuring fans worldwide can enjoy Pokémon content without disruption.
Addressing past criticism regarding takedown notices for fan projects, former Chief Legal Officer Don McGowan clarified that the company doesn't proactively seek out fan works. Action is generally taken only when projects achieve significant funding or media attention, indicating a potential for commercial exploitation. He stated that the company prefers to avoid legal action against fans, only intervening when projects cross a defined threshold.
