Nintendo and Pokémon Company Take Legal Action Against 'Palworld' Developer

Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have sued Palworld developer Pocketpair for patent infringement. The lawsuit seeks an injunction and compensation for damages. Pocketpair claims to be unaware of the specific patents in question and will investigate the claims.

Credit: REUTERS

The lawsuit, filed in the Tokyo District Court on Wednesday, alleges multiple patent infringements and seeks both an injunction and compensation for damages.

Palworld, which burst onto the gaming scene in mid-January, quickly gained notoriety for its unique blend of cute creature collection and firearms, earning it the nickname 'Pokémon with guns'. The game allows players to capture and train adorable creatures called 'pals' using an arsenal of weapons.

The sudden legal action comes after The Pokémon Company announced in January that it would be investigating potential intellectual property infringements. This move suggests that the company has found grounds to pursue legal recourse against Pocketpair.

Pocketpair, a Tokyo-based game developer, has acknowledged receiving notice of the lawsuit but claims to be unaware of the specific patents they are accused of infringing. The company has stated its intention to initiate appropriate legal proceedings and investigations into the claims.

In a statement, Pocketpair expressed frustration at the situation, saying, "It is truly unfortunate that we will be forced to allocate significant time to matters unrelated to game development due to this lawsuit". This sentiment highlights the potential impact of legal battles on smaller game development studios.

The timing of this lawsuit is particularly interesting, given that Pocketpair announced a partnership with Sony in July to promote the global licensing of Palworld.

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• Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have sued Palworld developer Pocketpair for patent infringement

• The lawsuit seeks an injunction and compensation for damages

• Pocketpair claims to be unaware of the specific patents in question and will investigate the claims

Source: REUTERS

China's Tech Innovation Surges Ahead, Challenging US Dominance

China's technological innovation is much stronger than previously understood, challenging US dominance. Chinese firms lead in nuclear power, electric vehicles and batteries. China is expected to surpass the US in nuclear-power generation by 2030.

Credit: Xinhua

A groundbreaking 20-month study by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) has revealed that China's technological innovation is far more advanced than previously believed, posing a significant challenge to US technological supremacy. The investigation, which examined 44 Chinese firms across key technologies, found that China has already taken the lead in certain areas and is likely to equal or surpass Western firms in many others within the next decade.

Stephen Ezell, an analyst at ITIF, presented the findings at a Capitol Hill event, emphasising the strength of the Chinese innovation system. The study assessed companies based on factors such as R&D investment, personnel, internal innovation teams, international awards and market share, comparing them to global leaders in their respective fields.

In the nuclear power sector, China is estimated to be 10 to 15 years ahead of the US in deploying fourth-generation reactors at scale. The country is currently building more nuclear reactors than the rest of the world combined, and it is expected to outperform the United States in nuclear power generation by 2030. China has already become the first country to operationally deploy advanced fourth-generation reactors featuring new designs and passive safety systems.

China's automotive industry has grown rapidly, producing 62% of the world's electric vehicles and 77% of EV batteries. From producing only 5,200 cars in 1985, China is expected to produce 26.8 million vehicles this year, accounting for 21% of global production. By the end of the decade, this share is expected to reach 30%.

While China remains behind American and Western biopharmaceutical leaders, it is quickly catching up. China's share of global value added in the biopharmaceutical industry quadrupled from 2002 to 2019, reaching nearly 25%. In robotics, although Chinese companies were found to be less innovative than their American, South Korean or counterparts, China deployed more industrial robots last year than the rest of the world combined.

The semiconductor industry remains an area where China is still behind, with the latest advanced chip made by Huawei Technologies estimated to be three years off pace. Despite facing severe US sanctions in 2020, Huawei surprised Washington last year when it launched a new smartphone powered by a domestically produced advanced semiconductor.

Rick Switzer, a former US State Department tech policy expert, emphasised that China's innovation is not solely driven by stolen Western technology. He cited Ford executives' recent visit to China, where they discovered Chinese EVs to be not only cheaper but also more innovative. Switzer also noted that China has emerged as a significant contributor to scientific research, with Chinese nationals and institutions working on more published papers with US researchers than any other country.

The study's findings have important implications for US policymakers and politicians. Congressman John Moolenaar emphasised the significance of export and outbound capital controls as part of America's defensive strategy against China. Meanwhile, Emily Jin of Datenna warned that China is rapidly advancing in cutting-edge fields, with the goal of translating technological leadership into economic growth and geopolitical power.

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• China's technological innovation is much stronger than previously understood, challenging US dominance

• Chinese firms lead in nuclear power, electric vehicles and batteries

• China is expected to surpass the US in nuclear-power generation by 2030

Source: SCMP

Robot Chefs Set to Sizzle in Beijing's Kitchens

Beijing has issued the first food service licence for humanoid robots. EncoSmart's Lava robots can cook fried foods in minutes. The robots can identify ingredients and self-learn new recipes.

Credit: Simon Song

In a historic move, Beijing has granted its first food service licence to humanoid robots, ushering in a new era in Beijing's catering industry. This development means that residents of the Chinese capital may soon have their meals prepared by robotic chefs, providing a glimpse into the future of foodservice.

The Beijing Municipal Administration for Market Regulation awarded the licence to EncoSmart, a Beijing-based robot start-up. This regulatory approval enables the company's Lava series of humanoid robots to operate in catering kitchens throughout the city, potentially revolutionising meal preparation and service.

EncoSmart's Lava robots are more than just machines; they are sophisticated culinary assistants capable of preparing a wide range of fried dishes. These robotic chefs can make french fries in two minutes and cook fried chicken and other dishes. What distinguishes these robots is their ability to learn and adapt, with a system that teaches itself new recipes and cooking techniques.

One of the most impressive characteristics of the Lava robots is their superior visual-perception. This technology enables them to recognise different ingredients and determine the best cooking times, potentially improving the flavour and quality of the meals they prepare. This level of precision and consistency has the potential to transform the foodservice industry.

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• Beijing has issued its first food service licence for humanoid robots.

• EncoSmart's Lava robots can prepare fried foods in minutes.

• The robots can recognise ingredients and self-learn new recipes.

Source: SCMP