The mobile game "Uma Musume Pretty Derby" continues to be immensely popular in Japan, building on the country's passionate horse racing culture. While the game celebrated its fourth anniversary in February, it faced a lawsuit in March 2023 when KONAMI sued Cygames over patent issues. After failing to reach a consensus, KONAMI sought 4 billion yen in damages, leading to a legal battle.
On November 7, Cygames announced that it had officially reached a settlement with KONAMI regarding the patent lawsuit related to "Uma Musume Pretty Derby" and the invalidation trials filed against the patents involved in the suit. This brings an end to the legal conflict that began two years ago.
On its official website, Cygames issued a "Statement Regarding the Settlement of the Lawsuit Filed Against Our Company," explaining the situation: "Since KONAMI filed a lawsuit against our company on March 31, 2023, we have successively filed invalidation trials for all 18 patents involved in this lawsuit."
Cygames stated: "We have always been confident that 'Uma Musume Pretty Derby' does not infringe upon any patent rights. However, with the aim of resolving the dispute as quickly as possible and allowing players of 'Uma Musume Pretty Derby' to continue enjoying the game with peace of mind for a long time, we decided to reach a settlement with the other party. As for the specific terms of the settlement, they cannot be disclosed due to a confidentiality agreement between both parties."
The statement concluded: "We have always respected the efforts of all creators in the game industry, including KONAMI, and the various excellent works they have created. Through this settlement, we hope to once again aim for the further development of the entire game industry. At the same time, Cygames will continue to strive to bring joy to players worldwide through our content."
The dispute originated in 2023 when KONAMI sued Cygames, alleging that "Uma Musume Pretty Derby" infringed on its patent rights. At the time, Cygames also issued a statement noting: "We have consistently engaged in good-faith discussions with KONAMI regarding the game system and certain programming aspects of 'Uma Musume Pretty Derby,' but the two parties were unable to reach a consensus, leading the other party to file a lawsuit."
While the legal battle has now concluded, the exact details of the settlement remain undisclosed. Nevertheless, players are likely pleased to see both parties move towards a resolution.
(For details on the alleged infringement items at the time, please refer to the article: KONAMI's Allegations of "Uma Musume" Infringement by Cygames Revealed, Demanding Compensation for Several Points)
via： Cygames官方網站