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Pokémon sues Australian company over NFT collection
The Pokémon Company International sued the Australian company Pokémon Pty Ltd for trademark infringement of its NFT game Pokéworld. The company, also known as Kotiota Studios, recently launched the game to make money. The Pokémon Company claims too much similarity between the NFT game and its own franchise.
Image credit: NFT Calendar
Why is The Pokémon Company suing the Australian firm?
According to the lawsuit, Pokéworld is a “virtual world game” that allows players to collect and trade virtual creatures, similar to the concept of The Pokémon Company’s own games. The Pokémon Company claims that they cannot use the word “Pokémon” in the name and branding of Pokéworld. They also claim that it could cause confusion among consumers, who might think the game is related to The Pokémon Company.
The Pokémon Company is seeking damages and an injunction to stop Kotiota Studios from using the Pokémon name in connection with the game. This Pokémon NFT lawsuit also requests the destruction of all materials related to the game. In addition, they require that all advertising or promotional material be removed from any platform.
What is Pokéworld?
Pokéworld, on the other hand, advertises itself as an NFT-powered game, with players able to buy and sell virtual creatures. However, their official website lacks clarity on how big a role NFTs will play in the final version of the game. Still, Kotiota Studios seems to be trying to capitalize on the current interest in NFTs among players and investors, even after this Pokémon NFT lawsuit.
Pokéworld has created some buzz among the gaming and cryptocurrency communities. Nevertheless, The Pokémon Company or Nintendo have announced some plans to use non-fungible tokens (NFTs) in their own games. These NFTs, sold and traded on blockchain platforms, have gained popularity in recent years as a way for artists and content creators to sell digital collectibles.
Image credit: Pokéworld
The Pokémon Company’s lawsuit against Kotiota Studios highlights the importance of protecting intellectual property. Nothing particularly stands out in the digital age where it may be easier for others to borrow or imitate popular franchises. It remains to be seen how the Pokémon NFT lawsuit will play out, but it serves as a reminder for companies to carefully consider the potential legal implications of their branding and marketing strategies.
