The Pokémon Company Successfully Defends IP in $15 Million Copyright Lawsuit Against Chinese Companies

The Pokémon Company has won a significant legal victory against several Chinese companies accused of copyright infringement, securing a $15 million judgment. The lawsuit, filed in December 2021, targeted a mobile RPG, "Pokémon Monster Reissue," for its blatant copying of Pokémon characters, creatures, and gameplay mechanics.

The game, launched in 2015, featured striking similarities to the Pokémon franchise. Characters closely resembled Pikachu and Ash Ketchum, while the turn-based battles and creature-collecting mechanics were virtually identical. The app icon even used Pikachu artwork from Pokémon Yellow. Promotional materials showcased Ash Ketchum, Oshawott, Pikachu, and Tepig, among other recognizable characters and Pokémon like Rosa from Black and White 2 and Charmander. While acknowledging the existence of other monster-catching games, The Pokémon Company argued that "Pokémon Monster Reissue" went beyond inspiration and constituted outright plagiarism.

Initially, The Pokémon Company sought $72.5 million in damages, a public apology, and a cessation of the game's development, distribution, and promotion. News of the lawsuit surfaced in September 2022. The Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court ultimately ruled in favor of The Pokémon Company, awarding $15 million. Three of the six defendant companies are reportedly appealing the decision.

In a statement translated from GameBiz, The Pokémon Company reaffirmed its commitment to protecting its intellectual property to ensure fans worldwide can enjoy Pokémon content without disruption.

Addressing Past Criticisms Regarding Fan Projects

The Pokémon Company has faced criticism for its handling of fan projects in the past. Former Chief Legal Officer Don McGowan clarified in a March interview with Aftermath that the company doesn't proactively seek out fan projects for takedowns. Instead, action is typically taken when projects gain significant traction, such as through funding platforms like Kickstarter. McGowan stated that the company generally learns about fan projects through media coverage or independent discovery.

Despite this policy, some fan projects with limited reach have received takedown notices, including fan-made creation tools, games like Pokémon Uranium, and viral videos featuring fan-made content.