Pokemon has Long Been One of the Most Famous Brands in the World and a Source of Inspiration for Many Game Developers
Moreover, there have been numerous games created that take inspiration from its iconic elements, with titles like Monster Hunter and more recently Palworld serving as clear examples. Although these games borrow significantly from the framework established by Game Freak, they still possess unique characteristics that help them stand out, while also navigating the complex legal issues surrounding copyright.
However, Not Every Game Can Achieve Such Success. A Prime Example is Pocket Monster: Remake – A Game Considered a Clone of Pokemon Developed and Published by Guangzhou Maichi Network Technology Co., Ltd, a Chinese Company.
Just a glance at some of the character designs in this game makes it easy for players to recognize iconic Pokemon brand characters like Ash, Charmander, and many other creatures. This game has been in development since 2015, went into beta in December 2021, but only recently has shown significant results.
According to reports, Pocket Monster: Remake has indeed been successful, generating over 40 million yuan (approximately 1,000 million VND) in revenue for its creators. The Pokemon Company, however, did not remain silent when faced with this infringement of copyright. The company demanded compensation for damages amounting to 72.5 million yuan (around 1.8 billion VND) along with a public apology. Additionally, TPC has also set a minimum goal, having received at least one public apology while incurring further costs to resolve the ongoing legal issues.
While inspiration is natural, copying trademarks as seen in Pocket Monster: Remake has proven to be problematic. The ongoing legal battle between The Pokemon Company and the game developers serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in intellectual property rights.
