Overview
- Nintendo’s touchscreen-focused patent application was refused by the Japan Patent Office, with the notice issued April 24th stating the claims lacked an inventive step.
- The filing sought rights over using a touch panel to throw a capture item at a field character and then deploy a captured, player-owned character to fight, which would apply to phones and tablets.
- The rejected application is a divisional of an earlier filing and follows a recent U.S. Patent and Trademark Office denial on related summon-to-fight mechanics.
- Examiners said the claims described a general monster-catching rule set with no technological innovation, and Nintendo, which amended the claims in February, can attempt further changes.
- Coverage ties the touchscreen scope to Palworld’s planned mobile release in 2026, as Nintendo and The Pokemon Company continue a separate case seeking an injunction and damages against developer Pocketpair.