According to intellectual property expert Florian Mueller, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company’s lawsuit against Palworld developer Pocketpair could last up to five years. He suggests that this legal dispute may not be resolved quickly or through a simple settlement. In a series of tweets, Mueller, a former Blizzard consultant, speculated that the case might drag on for an extended period, stating, “Nintendo v. [Pocketpair] looks to me like a dispute that is more likely to last five years than to be settled during the first year.” He added that Nintendo might intentionally pursue a lengthy legal process rather than a quick resolution. “This is not a simple ‘pay me a million’ patent suit,” he explained.

Despite the potential for a long legal battle, Mueller expressed confidence in Pocketpair’s ability to handle the financial strain of such a lawsuit. He reassured that the indie studio can “easily” afford to defend itself, unlike high-profile cases such as Epic Games’ legal battle against Apple and Google, which cost hundreds of millions. According to Mueller, Pocketpair has the resources necessary to stand its ground and is unlikely to face financial difficulties during the proceedings.

Nintendo v. @Palworld_EN looks to me like a dispute that is more likely to last 5 years than to be settled during the first year.

In fact, it could be that Nintendo actually wants to see it through and wants it to take long.

This is not a simple “pay me a million” patent suit. https://t.co/Mn5tVpmygS

— Florian Mueller (@Florian4Gamers) September 20, 2024

As for the specifics of the lawsuit, it alleges that Pocketpair’s game Palworld infringes on several patents held by Nintendo. However, the exact patents in question have not been publicly disclosed. Analyst Serkan Toto, speaking to GamesRadar+, emphasized Nintendo’s formidable legal team, which has a strong reputation in the Japanese gaming industry. He pointed out that Nintendo’s track record suggests they have a high likelihood of winning the case.

At this stage, the outcome remains uncertain, and if Mueller’s predictions are accurate, the case could take years to conclude. Pocketpair has responded to the lawsuit by assuring its fans that it will continue to stand by indie developers. The studio expressed its commitment to ensuring that independent creators are not discouraged from pursuing their creative visions due to legal challenges. The gaming community must wait for further developments in this ongoing legal battle.