Pokemon Knockoff Hit by $15M Copyright Verdict

The Pokémon Company secures a significant victory in a copyright infringement lawsuit against Chinese companies that developed a blatant Pokémon clone. The Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court awarded The Pokémon Company $15 million in damages, a portion of the initially requested $72.5 million.

This follows a legal battle initiated in December 2021, targeting the creators of "Pokémon Monster Reissue," a mobile RPG accused of extensively copying Pokémon characters, creatures, and gameplay mechanics. The game, launched in 2015, featured striking similarities to the Pokémon franchise, including characters closely resembling Pikachu and Ash Ketchum, and gameplay mirroring the series' signature turn-based battles and creature collection. While acknowledging the existence of other monster-catching games, The Pokémon Company argued that "Pokémon Monster Reissue" went beyond inspiration and constituted blatant plagiarism. Evidence included the use of Pikachu artwork from Pokémon Yellow on the game's icon and promotional materials featuring Ash Ketchum, Oshawott, Pikachu, and Tepig.

The lawsuit, initially publicized in September 2022, also demanded a cessation of the game's development, distribution, and promotion, along with a public apology. While the final judgment was less than the initial demand, the $15 million award serves as a strong deterrent against future copyright infringement. Three of the six sued companies have reportedly filed appeals. The Pokémon Company reaffirmed its commitment to protecting its intellectual property, ensuring fans worldwide can enjoy Pokémon content without disruption.

Addressing past criticism regarding the company's actions against fan projects, former Chief Legal Officer Don McGowan clarified that The Pokémon Company doesn't proactively seek out fan projects for takedowns. Instead, action is typically taken when projects gain significant traction, such as through funding campaigns. McGowan highlighted that the company usually learns about fan projects through media coverage or independent discovery.

Despite this policy, The Pokémon Company has issued takedown notices for some smaller fan projects, including creation tools, games like Pokémon Uranium, and even viral videos featuring fan-made content.