PokeWorld, a bootleg metaverse mobile game, faces lawsuit from Pokemon Company! Plans to release Pokemon NFTs deemed serious infringement

The recent release of "Pokémon Scarlet and Violet" and the protagonist Ash's championship in the animation has once again stirred up a Pokémon craze in our lives. However, this week, news emerged that an Australian company has developed a Pokémon metaverse game without authorization, and even plans to release Pokémon NFTs. Such a serious infringement has led to legal action by the Pokémon company.

The Pokémon Company International Files Lawsuit for Copyright Infringement

According to the lawsuit filed by The Pokémon Company International with the Federal Court of Australia, on 12/21, they filed a lawsuit against an Australian company named "Pokémon Pty."

Operating under the name "Kotiota Studio," Pokémon Pty began promoting a metaverse mobile game called "PokeWorld" on Twitter on 10/18 this year and had released five promotional videos by 12/18. The game not only claims to have play-to-earn (P2E) elements but also plans to release 10,310 Pokémon NFTs in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Kotiota Studio also claimed to have official authorization from Pokémon and has been involved in the development of various Pokémon games like "Pokémon HOME," "Pokémon SLEEP," and the current popular "Pokémon Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl." They even audaciously reached out to multiple media outlets, requesting to be listed as a game developer in their past Pokémon coverage.

Evidence of Copyright Infringement

On the official website of PokeWorld, located at pokeworld.game, it was discovered that Kotiota Studio had been using several well-known Pokémon in game development without authorization from The Pokémon Company.

In the game's promotional videos, rough 3D battle scenes, distorted Pokémon, and elements such as gems and strange skills that do not exist in the Pokémon game world were shown. Fans of Pokémon would undoubtedly find these scenes quite distressing.

Official Statement: No Pokémon NFTs to Be Released

Following this severe copyright infringement, The Pokémon Company International has requested the court to stop the malicious actions of PokeWorld. In the lawsuit documents, it was mentioned that both The Pokémon Company and Nintendo have decided not to release any Pokémon NFTs.

The Australian court is currently investigating the case, but the defendant company has not responded, and their Twitter account has been deleted.