Nintendo has suffered another setback in its dispute with Palworld developer Pocketpair after a recent attempt to obtain a touchscreen-specific patent was denied, Eurogamer reports.

The ongoing legal battle centres on alleged copying of "Pokémon-style" monster capture and throwing mechanics. Nintendo's efforts to shore up intellectual property protections have so far failed to deliver the decisive victories expected by the Japanese platform holder.

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The denied touchscreen-focused patent represents a further narrowing of the avenues available to Nintendo in pursuing claims against Pocketpair. Broad patents that attempt to cover common gameplay interactions have historically faced scrutiny and high rejection rates from patent offices, complicating attempts by major publishers to protect mechanics rather than distinct artistic or technical implementations.

The dispute remains active, with both companies continuing to engage through legal channels. The latest development will be watched closely by the wider games industry for implications on how gameplay systems and user-interface interactions can be protected under patent and intellectual property law.

Eurogamer provided the initial coverage of the denied patent and the evolving status of the case.