Intellectual Property
Ongoing coverage on Intellectual Property.
Latest coverage
Saturday Legal Briefs
This article discusses potential legal issues surrounding AI hacking incidents involving OpenAI and Anthropic, as well as a lawsuit against Netflix concerning the theft of an unreleased Nicolas Cage movie. The legal ramifications of these events are explored.
Microsoft CEO says Xbox has "the best IP" and "talented studios around the world," is confident it'll "return" to growth after its worst quarter in years amid mass layoffs
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella expressed confidence in Xbox's future growth despite a recent poor financial quarter and mass layoffs, stating the company possesses "the best IP" and "talented studios." He anticipates a return to growth by fiscal year 2027, emphasizing necessary decisions to reset the business. This comes after Xbox head Asha Sharma admitted the division is currently "unhealthy."
Capcom producer says Resident Evil remakes are providing financial support to develop new games and IP
Capcom producer Masachika Kawata stated that Resident Evil remakes are crucial for funding new game development and original intellectual property. He explained that this strategy allows the team to release a Resident Evil title annually while also honing their skills and challenging themselves with new projects like Pragmata.
Japan’s patent office rejects one of the Pokemon patents, calling Nintendo’s arguments ‘absurd’ and ‘ridiculous’
The Japanese Patent Office has rejected one of Nintendo's patent filings related to Pokemon's monster-capturing mechanics, citing prior art from a 13-year-old fan game. Nintendo's arguments against this were deemed 'absurd' and 'ridiculous' by the examiner, who stated that copyright infringement does not negate prior art for patentability.
It's not just Baldur's Gate 4 – Larian is "not involved in any" Baldur's Gate 3 projects now, but devs tease Divinity news is on the way
Larian Studios has clarified that they are not involved in any current Baldur's Gate 3 projects, despite a new comic set in the universe being released by Dark Horse Comics. The studio is shifting its focus to the Divinity series, with hints of new announcements coming soon. Larian's involvement with the Baldur's Gate IP is limited as Hasbro owns the Dungeons and Dragons intellectual property.
Dragon Age veteran says a series comeback would be difficult with EA's "frightening" graveyard of dormant IP: "I suspect that it wouldn't happen"
Former BioWare veteran Mark Darrah believes a comeback for the Dragon Age series would be difficult due to Electronic Arts' management of dormant intellectual properties. He suggests that EA's focus on financial performance over game development, coupled with internal challenges at BioWare and potential ownership changes, makes it unlikely for a new Dragon Age game to be pitched and approved.
Nintendo awakens JRPG hopes after 20 years as Xenosaga gets a fresh cameo in Xenoblade Chronicles 2 on Switch 2
A new cameo for Momo from the Xenosaga series in Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition has sparked speculation that Nintendo may have acquired the Xenosaga intellectual property from Bandai Namco. This theory is fueled by the IP's recent removal from Bandai Namco's official website and the absence of Bandai Namco's copyright in the trailer. Monolith Soft, the original developer of Xenosaga, is now owned by Nintendo.
Even Japan's patent officials seem exhausted with Nintendo's antics as they refuse its 'absurd'…
Nintendo's attempts to secure patents for Pokémon-related systems have been met with strong rebukes from the Japan Patent Office. Examiners found Nintendo's arguments against prior art, including a fan game video, to be lacking and even described some of Nintendo's claims as 'absurd'.
Amazon Wants to “Do What’s Right By” 007 First Light, Open to IO Interactive Returning for Sequel
Amazon Game Studios general manager Jeff Gattis stated that while no sequel discussions for 007 First Light have occurred, the door is open for IO Interactive to return. Amazon owns the rights to the game and aims to "do what's right by the game," suggesting IO Interactive would likely develop any sequel. Gattis also discussed Amazon's broader vision for cross-media properties and integrating IP across platforms like Prime Video and Amazon.com.
Further proving Kingdom Hearts' existence is a miracle, ex-Disney CEO says he can't even remember why he greenlit the JRPG in the first place
Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner admitted he barely remembers greenlighting the Kingdom Hearts franchise and cannot recall his specific reasons for approving the Square Enix collaboration. Despite Eisner's hazy recollection, the series has spanned over two decades and is set to continue with Kingdom Hearts 4.
Delphi Interactive's fan-first strategy draws major IP interest following success of James Bond and FIFA
Delphi Interactive CEO Casper Daugaard explained that their success with games like James Bond 007: First Light and FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition stems from a strategy focused on appealing to fans of major intellectual properties rather than just 'gamers'. This approach has led to significant interest from other iconic brands looking to create interactive experiences. Daugaard highlighted that this fan-centric model influences every aspect of game design, from gameplay mechanics to overall presentation, ensuring an authentic experience for brand enthusiasts.
The Japanese Patent Office has officially had enough of Nintendo, rejecting a patent attached to the Palworld lawsuit…
The Japanese Patent Office is reviewing a rejection decision for a Nintendo patent related to Pokemon's monster-capturing system, which is part of a patent family relevant to the ongoing lawsuit against Palworld. Nintendo argued against the rejection, citing the Patent Office's inappropriate use of a copyright-infringing game in its assessment.
Nexpace Crowns MapleStory Vibe Camp Champions, Distributing $59,580 Among 230 Creators
Nexpace has concluded its Vibe Camp program, awarding $59,580 in NXPC tokens to 230 creators who developed projects using the MapleStory IP and the Verse8 AI platform. The camp served as both a competition and a talent development initiative within the MapleStory ecosystem, with winners recognized across various categories based on player engagement and originality.
Xbox Is Dismantling Its Future To Rebuild a Past It Can Never Recapture
Xbox is undergoing a significant restructuring, reportedly dismantling studios focused on original ideas to prioritize established intellectual property. This strategic shift raises questions about the company's ability to foster new hit franchises by solely relying on its legacy content.
Long before the Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake leaks, ex-Nintendo marketing leads were "scared straight" to keep the company's secrets, feared they would "ruin the company"
Former Nintendo marketing leads Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang discussed the company's strict policies on keeping secrets, revealing that mishandling confidential information could lead to job loss. They noted that despite these measures, leaks, such as those concerning the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake, have occurred, which Nintendo aimed to counteract.
Kane Parsons is standing up for an artist after A24 attempted to copyright strike their Backrooms art
Filmmaker Kane Parsons is intervening after A24 reportedly issued copyright takedown notices for artwork inspired by The Backrooms, a concept that originated online. The company, which recently released its own Backrooms film, is accused of attempting to claim ownership over community-created art that predates their adaptation. Parsons stated he is investigating the matter, emphasizing that the broader Backrooms concept and its lore should not be exclusively owned by the film adaptation.
'Similar Art Styles Make the Comparisons Inevitable' — Palworld and Pokémon Fans Are Arguing Over Whether New Whale Pal Panthalus Copies Kyogre
Fans of Palworld and Pokémon are engaged in a debate regarding the new Pal, Panthalus, and its perceived similarities to the Pokémon Kyogre. The discussion centers on whether Panthalus's art style is too similar to Kyogre's, leading to accusations of copying.
Welcome to ExDev Week
This week-long feature on GamesIndustry.biz explores the present and future of external development in the games industry. It highlights the role of external studios in creating major games and discusses themes such as balancing work-for-hire with original IP creation and building client trust. The analysis also considers external development as a potentially more sustainable alternative to large internal teams amidst industry transformation and job losses.
Palworld Won: A $30K Lawsuit and a Free 1.0 Beat Nintendo
Nintendo and The Pokémon Company's patent lawsuit against Pocketpair's Palworld has resulted in a minimal potential payout of around $30,000 for Nintendo, with patent analysts deeming the case unlikely to succeed against current versions of the game. Pocketpair had previously patched disputed mechanics, leading Nintendo to narrow its claims to non-existent older versions, while patent offices have rejected key Nintendo applications citing prior art. Despite the legal pressure and forced game changes, Palworld has successfully launched its 1.0 version, demonstrating resilience against the intellectual property challenge.
Palworld revises some of its most egregious creature designs for its 1.0 release
Palworld's 1.0 release includes visual revisions to several creatures that bore strong resemblances to existing Pokémon designs. While not mentioned in the patch notes, Pals like Verdash, Robinquill, and Fenglope have been altered to reduce similarities to Pokémon counterparts. These changes appear to be a quiet acknowledgment by developer Pocketpair regarding the initial creature designs, though they are not directly related to Nintendo's ongoing lawsuit concerning game mechanics.
