Lawsuits are becoming increasingly common in the gaming industry, with many companies asserting their trademarks and patents over specific content. This often leads to disputes, whether intentional or not, regardless of the size of the company involved.
It’s not unusual to see larger firms suing smaller ones for similar reasons, and that’s precisely what has happened recently between SEGA and another Japanese developer, Bank of Innovation (BOI).
For those unfamiliar, BOI is a Japanese mobile game developer known for its latest title, Memento Mori, which is an idle card RPG featuring appealing visuals and sound design. Unfortunately, BOI has found itself on the receiving end of SEGA’s latest legal action, with a hefty claim amounting to approximately 1 billion yen, or about 6.7 million USD.
SEGA accuses BOI of infringing on at least five of its registered patents related to mechanics in gacha games, asserting that they are entitled to the damages sought. Reports indicate that BOI attempted to negotiate with SEGA, but those discussions did not lead to any agreement.
4) US$6.7M would significantly hurt BOI financially.
Sega’s lawsuit following Nintendo’s legal action against Palworld owner Pocket Pair might also signal a new trend in big Japanese studios looking for damages from smaller ones that surprisingly launch hit games. /end
— Dr. Serkan Toto (@serkantoto) October 21, 2024
Japanese gaming industry analyst Dr. Serkan Toto has pointed out that this lawsuit could significantly impact BOI’s finances, which currently stand at around 150 million USD.
Despite the legal challenges, BOI remains committed to supporting Memento Mori in the future, regardless of the outcome of the lawsuit. What are your thoughts on this situation?
