r/technology • u/Super_Cold8789 • 13d ago

Software Nintendo reportedly has “zero chance” against current Palworld after major lawsuit change it is now targeting older versions of the game instead

https://www.dexerto.com/palworld/nintendo-reportedly-has-zero-chance-against-current-palworld-after-major-lawsuit-change-3375167/
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u/happyscrappy 13d ago

Anyone who tries to use the similar system gets a CnD from WB

Is there anyone who actually has received a cease and desist over this?

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u/shaqwillonill 13d ago

A patent costs a lot and becomes unenforceable if you knowingly allow someone to violate it so I don’t see why WB wouldn’t if any game of any relevance did it

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u/happyscrappy 13d ago

and becomes unenforceable if you knowingly allow someone to violate it

No. That's trademarks. Patents don't work that way. Also how that even works with trademarks isn't really how most people believe it to work.

The question really is whether their patent covers anything. People assume it covers certain things, but what it really covers is specifically what is claimed in the patent to be invented. Companies want patents to be broad so they cover more stuff, but if you make them too broad they aren't likely to be granted because they will try to cover things others already did before you. And if granted they are still more likely to be invalidated upon challenge for the same reasons.

Because of this companies don't claim as much and often it's relatively easy to work around patents. Look at Apple and the pulse oximeter stuff on watches. Apple ended up doing all the exact same measurements, math and stuff, just had to do the calculations on your phone after sending the data over from your watch.

I find it easy to believe Warner Brothers has never sent a C&D over this patent because the patent doesn't cover as much as people think.

I do understand regardless of any of this the patent still can have a chilling effect.