Intellectual Property
Ongoing coverage on Intellectual Property.
Latest coverage
Nintendo denied touchscreen-specific patent as the legal battle against Palworld developer Pocketpair continues
Nintendo has been denied a touchscreen-specific patent related to character capturing and combat mechanics, a move that appears to target games like Palworld Mobile. This rejection follows a previous denial by the United States Patent and Trademark Office and highlights ongoing legal challenges for Nintendo against Pocketpair.
Call of Duty and Mario Kart are up there, but Take-Two CEO says Grand Theft Auto is "the most valuable entertainment IP ever created," and while he still won't reveal how much GTA 5 made, "it's a lot"
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick stated that the Grand Theft Auto intellectual property is considered the most valuable entertainment IP ever created. While not disclosing specific figures for Grand Theft Auto V's revenue, Zelnick confirmed it has generated substantial profits and continues to be a strong seller, even over a decade after its release.
Sony Allegedly “Exploring” the Revival of “Older, Unused IPs”, Says Insider
Sony is reportedly exploring the possibility of reviving older, unused intellectual properties. While no active development has been confirmed, the company is considering bringing back franchises like Jak and Daxter, Sly Cooper, and inFamous. This comes as other studios like Naughty Dog and Sucker Punch Productions are focused on their current projects.
'There's Truth to It': Sony 'Considering' Bringing Back Your Fave Franchises on PS5
Rumors suggest Sony is exploring the possibility of reviving dormant PlayStation franchises for the PlayStation 5, including titles like inFAMOUS, Sly Cooper, and Ape Escape. While not confirmed, these discussions have energized the fanbase amidst ongoing concerns about the company's focus on live service games.
Nintendo Hiring For A Brand New Role 'Movie Project Promotion Manager'
Nintendo is hiring for a new 'Movie Project Promotion Manager' based in Kyoto, Japan. This role will focus on marketing and promotional activities for film projects utilizing Nintendo's intellectual property, collaborating with domestic and international partners. The company's recent success with The Super Mario Bros. Movie and upcoming Legend of Zelda film likely contributed to the creation of this position.
Nintendo hiring for a new role titled Movie Project Promotion Manager
Nintendo is hiring for a new Movie Project Promotion Manager to oversee marketing and promotional activities for film projects based on its intellectual property. The role requires business-level English proficiency and a deep understanding of Nintendo's games and IP.
"FromSoftware is making steady progress" amid push "to develop IP in games" and film, says owner Kadokawa as Elden Ring movie looms
FromSoftware's parent company, Kadokawa, is focusing on developing its intellectual property for both games and film adaptations, including an Elden Ring movie in production with A24. Despite anticipating a profit drop in 2026 due to Elden Ring DLC, Kadokawa aims to expand FromSoftware's global fanbase and revamp its business model through media mix development, with projects like a Sekiro anime and a Bloodborne animated movie also in the works.
Capcom says it's eyeing Devil May Cry, Ace Attorney, Dragon's Dogma for 'sequels, remakes, ports, etc.', and I'll gladly take the excuse to get my hopes up
Capcom has indicated plans to expand its intellectual property value through sequels, remakes, and ports for franchises such as Devil May Cry, Ace Attorney, and Dragon's Dogma. This strategy aims to elevate these series to become future growth engines, similar to their success with Resident Evil, Monster Hunter, and Street Fighter. The company also mentioned leveraging generative AI in development while continuing to increase its workforce.
Bit Bot Expands Leadership with AAA Veterans, Appoints Halo's Frank O’Connor as Creative Director
Multimedia studio Bit Bot has expanded its leadership team, appointing Frank O'Connor, formerly of Halo fame, as Creative Director and Brian Ullrich as Studio General Manager. The studio aims to accelerate original IP development across games, film, comics, and merchandise, bringing in AAA veterans to bolster its creative and production capabilities.
Former NetEase exec Simon Zhu secures $100m to launch GreaterThan Group
Former NetEase executive Simon Zhu has launched GreaterThan Group (GTG), a new holding company that has secured $100 million in funding. GTG will support three newly formed studios: Arcanaut Studios, led by Casey Hudson; BulletFarm, led by David Vonderhaar; and MAGship, led by Masato Saki. The company aims to provide full funding and support to game development studios, allowing creators to focus on making games.
Capcom Wants to Nurture Old IP Like Devil May Cry, Ace Attorney With “Sequels, Remakes, Ports”
Capcom plans to "nurture" classic intellectual properties like Devil May Cry and Ace Attorney through sequels, remakes, and ports. The company aims to expand its user base and improve performance by revitalizing these older franchises, alongside its core IPs of Resident Evil, Monster Hunter, and Street Fighter. While new games for Okami and Onimusha are in development, franchises like Breath of Fire, Darkstalkers, and Dino Crisis were not explicitly mentioned in these plans.
Random: Nintendo Once Sent WWE's Cody Rhodes A "Cease And Desist"
WWE Champion Cody Rhodes revealed that Nintendo sent him a 'kind' cease and desist letter due to his use of the Triforce logo on his wrestling boots. Rhodes explained his admiration for the Triforce's principles of power, courage, and wisdom, which he found applicable to his wrestling career. He also expressed his love for The Legend of Zelda series, specifically mentioning Twilight Princess and The Wind Waker.
Pocketpair Continues To Defy Nintendo With New Palworld Trademark
Pocketpair has filed new trademarks for 'Palworld Online' in South Korea and the US, likely for the game's upcoming 1.0 update. Meanwhile, Nintendo's attempts to patent game mechanics that could undermine Palworld have faced rejection from the US Patent Office.
Nintendo Sent a Cease and Desist to WWE Champion Cody Rhodes
Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes revealed that Nintendo sent him a cease and desist letter due to his public displays of affection for The Legend of Zelda. The exact nature of the legal action is unclear, but it stems from Rhodes's strong association with the franchise.
Kronologi Dua Lipa Gugat Samsung dan Tuntut Ganti Rugi Rp260 M
Singer Dua Lipa has filed a lawsuit against Samsung, seeking over $15 million in damages. Lipa alleges that Samsung used her image on television marketing materials without permission or compensation. The lawsuit claims violations of copyright, publicity rights, and trademark law.
Pickmos has removed Pokemon-like creature designs
The Nintendo Switch game Pickmos has undergone significant changes following controversy over creature designs resembling Pokemon and fan-made art. Publisher Networkgo renamed the game to Pickmos, removed its Steam page, and has now re-released it on Steam with altered art and monster designs. The game is still planned for a future Nintendo Switch release.
MMAJ 2026 Akan Hadir di Gandaria City Jakarta 30 dan 31 Mei
Merah Merah Anime Japan (MMAJ) Jakarta 2026, a new business-to-business event connecting Japanese intellectual property owners with Indonesian corporations, will be held on May 30-31, 2026, at Gandaria City Mall in Jakarta. The event aims to facilitate licensing, technology transfer, and business knowledge exchange to strengthen the national creative industry, featuring popular IPs like Chibi Maruko-chan and Rooster Fighter, alongside film screenings, workshops, and live entertainment.
Pokemon and Palworld clone Pickmos quietly returns to Steam after promising "controversy-free experience," with certain familiar monster designs now missing
The Pokemon and Palworld-inspired game Pickmos has quietly returned to Steam after a previous removal. Developer PocketGame, with publisher Networkgo's supervision, has reportedly removed some of the most controversial monster designs that were criticized for being too similar to existing popular creatures. The game's Steam page now features fewer screenshots and no trailer, suggesting a more cautious approach following allegations of stolen art and design.
Next Stellar Blade and Project Spirits details to be revealed in 2026
Developer SHIFT UP announced that details for the next Stellar Blade and Project Spirits titles will be revealed in 2026. SHIFT UP will self-publish both games, as well as titles from the recently acquired UNBOUND studio, led by Shinji Mikami. The company also provided updates on Goddess of Victory: NIKKE's performance and future strategy.
Atari acquires rights to first five Wizardry RPGs
Atari has acquired the complete and exclusive rights to the first five games in the original Wizardry RPG series from the original rights holder. While Drecom retains the worldwide trademark and ownership of Wizardry 6, 7, and 8, Atari plans to expand distribution through remasters, collections, and new releases, as well as develop related media like card games, books, and TV projects.
