Pokémon NFT Game Sparks Legal Battle in Australia

Legal Dispute Over Pokémon NFT Game

An Australian crypto company, Pokémon Pty Ltd, is embroiled in a legal battle with The Pokémon Company International. The conflict arises from the promotion of an unauthorized NFT-based Pokémon mobile game called PokéWorld. The Pokémon Company International, the legitimate owner of Pokémon intellectual property, has initiated legal proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia, seeking to halt the unauthorized use of their brand.

Unauthorized Use of Pokémon Branding

Pokémon Pty Ltd is accused of illegally leveraging the Pokémon brand, which holds immense global value, to market its NFT game. The Australian company has allegedly set up a website under the name Kotiota Studios, claiming involvement in other Pokémon projects. These claims extend to well-known titles such as Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Pokémon Home, and even the unreleased Pokémon Sleep.

The Pokémon Company's Legal Action

The Pokémon Company International is actively working to prevent Pokémon Pty Ltd and its affiliates from falsely representing themselves as having licenses or affiliations with the legitimate Pokémon brand. This legal action underscores the importance of protecting intellectual property rights in the rapidly evolving world of NFTs and blockchain technology.

Conclusion

This case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by established brands in safeguarding their intellectual property against unauthorized use within emerging digital spaces. As the situation unfolds, the outcome of this legal battle could have significant implications for the intersection of traditional brands and the burgeoning NFT market.