Pokémon Company Reaches Settlement in Major Copyright Lawsuit Over Mobile Game
By The Pokémon Company has resolved its legal dispute against Pocket Monster: Remake.
As noted by Automaton, the resolution—following a trial in September that confirmed The Pokémon Company’s copyright claims—came after the Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court ordered the accused parties to compensate The Pokémon Company with $15 million.
Although the two firms—Guangzhou Maichi Network Technology and Khorgos Fangchi Network Technology—initially disagreed with the ruling and filed appeals, they have now come to a resolution through mediation for “a significant amount” and public apologies.
The turn-based mobile game Pocket Monster: Remake was originally released in 2015 and showcased characters and creatures remarkably similar to those found in Pokémon. It is believed to have earned approximately $42 million annually, leading The Pokémon Company to demand $72 million in damages.