Konami has taken a bold step by filing a lawsuit against Cygames. The legal action revolves around allegations of patent infringement relating to the immensely popular game “Uma Musume Pretty Derby.”
In their legal claim, Konami is seeking a staggering amount of 4 billion yen (equivalent to approximately USD 29 million) in damages. Moreover, they are also seeking an injunction to halt the production, usage, and provision of the game through telecommunication lines.
Cygames, backed by its parent company CyberAgent, issued an official statement on its website in response to the lawsuit. The statement acknowledged that they had engaged in sincere and constructive discussions with Konami in an effort to address the claims. Regrettably, the two parties failed to reach a mutually agreeable resolution, leading Konami to proceed with the lawsuit.
Konami has not disclosed the specific aspects of “Uma Musume Pretty Derby” that they claim infringe upon their patent. On the other hand, Cygames has staunchly refuted the allegations and intends to clarify the validity of its position during the ongoing legal proceedings. Despite its lack of an international release, “Uma Musume Pretty Derby” has achieved remarkable success as one of Cygames’ most lucrative gacha games. With a lifetime revenue exceeding a staggering 1.3 billion USD, the game has captured the hearts of countless players.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the gaming community and industry stakeholders will be eagerly monitoring the developments, awaiting the verdict and its potential ramifications. This case underscores the criticality of protecting intellectual property rights, while also emphasizing the importance of open dialogue and constructive negotiation between companies to address disputes in a fair and mutually beneficial manner.
