Pokémon Chinese Clone Loses $15 Million Dollars in Copyright Lawsuit

The Pokémon Company secures a significant victory in its copyright infringement lawsuit against Chinese companies. A Shenzhen court awarded them $15 million in damages for the unauthorized creation and distribution of "Pokémon Monster Reissue," a mobile RPG that blatantly copied Pokémon characters, creatures, and gameplay mechanics.

The lawsuit, filed in December 2021, highlighted the game's striking similarities to the Pokémon franchise. Characters bearing a strong resemblance to Pikachu and Ash Ketchum, along with gameplay mirroring the core turn-based battles and creature collection, were cited as key infringements. The court found that "Pokémon Monster Reissue" went beyond mere inspiration, constituting blatant plagiarism. This was particularly evident in the game's app icon, which used Pikachu artwork from Pokémon Yellow, and its advertisements featuring Ash Ketchum, Oshawott, Pikachu, and Tepig.

Initially, The Pokémon Company sought $72.5 million in damages, along with a public apology and cessation of the game's development and distribution. While the final judgment was lower, the $15 million award underscores the company's commitment to protecting its intellectual property. Three of the six companies involved have reportedly filed appeals.

The Pokémon Company's stance on fan projects has been a subject of discussion. Former Chief Legal Officer Don McGowan clarified that the company doesn't actively seek out fan projects for takedowns. Action is typically taken when projects gain significant traction, such as through funding campaigns. McGowan emphasized that the company often learns of fan projects through media coverage or direct discovery. However, instances of takedown notices for smaller fan projects, including games and creation tools, highlight the complexities of balancing IP protection with fan creativity.

The company's statement following the court decision reiterated its dedication to safeguarding its intellectual property to ensure fans worldwide can enjoy Pokémon content without disruption.