The Pokémon company has reached a “substantial” agreement with Chinese operators of a mobile game similar to Pokémon after being convicted of copyright violation.
According to a statement made by the Pokémon company, Guangzhou Maichi Network Technology and its subsidiary Khorgos Fangchi Network Technology violated their copyright with their self -developed pocket pocket game: remake.
Pocket Monster: Remake was originally launched in July 2015, with the Pokémon company by submitting a lawsuit in December 2021 claiming that the game infringed its copyright and dedicated itself to unfair competition.
After the Popular High Court of the province of Guandong found in favor of the Pokémon company and ordered companies to pay 107 million yuan ($ 14.7 million) in damages, the case was an appeal where an agreement was reached .
Although the exact agreement has not been revealed, a joint public apology from Guangzhou Maichi and Khorgos Fangchi said that “they had paid a substantial economic price and significant reputational damage incurred.”
“According to the relevant preceding guide and judicial documents issued by the Court of the Popular Highs of the Province of Guangdong, we have deeply realized that our acts had violated the relevant laws during the trial of the second instance and the liquidation process “, Read in apologies.
“The game has widely used design elements of the well -known Pokémon video game series, violating the copyright related to Pokémon video games, and has unfairly taken advantage of the fame and reputation of Pokémon’s video games, thus constituting acts of competition unfair.
“Our copyright violation and acts of unfair competition have caused significant economic losses to the rights holders and severely damaged the image of original Pokémon video games. Therefore, we sincerely apologize to the Pokémon company and other rights holders, as well as with the large number of players, consumers and the general public. “
Companies conclude by saying that they have “deeply reflected” and “learned [their] Lessons “, promising that in the future” it will give a high priority to the protection of intellectual property, it will refraining the related intellectual property rights or interests of Pokémon’s video games and their rights holders, and avoid participating in any act of unfair competition. “
The Pokémon company says that “it will continue to take all the necessary measures to protect its intellectual properties, to allow its users around the world to enjoy all Pokémon contents with total tranquility.”
