Gaming Patents: Konami and SEGA’s Legal Experts Discuss Their Impact

By whizzerlow Gaming News
20 January 2025 no comments

In recent years, the issue of Gaming Patents has become a hot topic, with legal experts from Konami, Sega, and Capcom sharing their views.

Discover the Palworld Roadmap and celebrate the first Anniversary!

A long-debated topic in the gaming world is Patents. These are measures that several companies, especially in Japan, have adopted over the years. Patents intended to protect their brand but often used for “tactics” that are highly questionable.

It’s a challenging issue to tackle given the differing laws and regulations from one country to another. International laws don’t always trump local ones. And in 2024, one well-known Patent—not a copyright infringement—was at the center of damage caused to Palworld by Nintendo.

Tokyo eSports Festa 2025: Copyright Conference

At the Tokyo eSports Festa 2025, there was a conference on the “Importance of Intellectual Property Rights in the Gaming Industry.” Organized by the Association of Copyright for Computer Software (ACCS) in Japan, it featured representatives from major Japanese companies discussing this matter.

Capcom, Konami, Sega, Nintendo, and Koei Tecmo were specifically mentioned. The discussions ranged from advocating for less restrictive regulations to calls for stronger protections, focusing on the role of such laws and regulations in Japan.

Industry Legal Experts on the Impact of Patents and Intellectual Property

One of the key topics was the Patents filed by these companies. Kikuo Matsumoto, head of SEGA’s Corporate Development HQ, thoroughly discussed SEGA’s approach. Noting how these Patents are essential to fight against excessive “imitations.” He implied that these Patents are also a significant funding source for SEGA.

Shunsuke Murase, head of Konami’s legal team, was more explicit. With development costs exceeding 1 billion Yen (more than €6 million), Patents help recover costs. Legal experts from Capcom and Nintendo added to the conversation, reinforcing the idea of “protecting” companies from imitators.

The Real Issue and Impact on Gamers

These are, of course, the words of legal teams from the giants of the Japanese gaming industry. But the reality is quite different. One of the most debated topics was the role of emulation, seen as entirely “illegal” by Nintendo, despite its repeated use over the years.

Another issue was how Palworld was targeted with a Patent over the mechanics of the Poké Ball, rather than accusations concerning other aspects of the game. This sheds light on how some companies recoup their initial development costs. The fear of infringing any Patent risks financially harming smaller studios and indie projects in Japan. A market that has only recently begun to grow.

whizzerlow

A video game enthusiast ever since I first got my hands on a Game Boy. Over the years, I've played many different games across various genres, discovering hidden gems and niche titles along the way. I'm also passionate about technology, always up-to-date with the latest news and insight in the PC and Console market. Ready to share and bring you the latest news !