【CyberTwitterX】Nintendo's Next Big Move After Pokémon Sleep? Insights on the Future of Pokémon TCG from Patents

Nintendo's Next Big Move After Pokémon Sleep? Exploring the Future of Pokémon TCG and Trademarks

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Today, we’ll dive into some fascinating topics from the gaming and trading card industries. Let’s explore the latest developments together.

The big news today involves Nintendo. On October 22, 2024, it was revealed that Nintendo had filed trademark applications for 10 designs, including text and icon logos inspired by Animal Crossing (Atsumare Dōbutsu no Mori), Super Smash Bros., Pikmin, and Splatoon.

The trademarks, filed on October 11, cover categories such as Class 43 (food and accommodation) and also extend to Class 9 (machines and instruments), Class 20 (furniture), Class 21 (household utensils), Class 24 (fabrics), Class 25 (clothing), and Class 28 (toys).

It’s worth noting that a trademark registration doesn’t guarantee a product or service will materialize. Still, speculation online suggests we might see something like an Animal Crossing resort.

Naturally, this has sparked discussions. Some fans are excited about potential new ventures, while others express concerns.

For example:

“Why is a gaming company branching out into food and hospitality?”

“If they trademark ‘Atsumori,’ will it affect soba restaurants that use the term?”

“What if we end up facing legal challenges for using terms like ‘Atsumori’ in everyday business?”

Let’s unpack this step by step.

Animal Crossing and Its Impact

When you hear “Atsumori,” most people in the gaming community immediately think of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. It’s an incredibly successful title, with over 44.79 million copies sold globally, according to Famitsu. For context, selling even 1 million copies of a game domestically is considered a major achievement.

Because of its massive success, the Animal Crossing brand has become synonymous with Nintendo, to the point where it’s hard to think of anything else when hearing the name.

However, “Atsumori” predates the game as a term. It originally referred to a type of soba dish served with hot dipping broth. This culinary use has existed for much longer than Nintendo’s game.

Trademark Concerns

Some worry that trademarking “Atsumori” could lead to legal disputes for soba shops using the term. However, trademarks don’t grant universal ownership over a word. Instead, they protect specific usages within designated categories.

For instance, a trademark for “Atsumori” in food or drink doesn’t necessarily restrict its use in other contexts. Similarly, Nintendo’s trademarks for “Atsumori” and related designs may only apply to products directly tied to the Animal Crossing brand.

In fact, existing records on platforms like Japan’s Patent Information Platform (J-PlatPat) show that “Atsumori” has already been trademarked by companies like Nissin Foods (for products like “Atsumori Noodles”) and others for items like hot sandwiches.

The Bigger Picture

Nintendo’s history with legal actions demonstrates a measured approach. They only intervene when there’s clear harm or confusion, such as in cases involving gambling. For example, a notable case involved influencer Tomohappy, who was reprimanded for inappropriate use of Nintendo-related materials in gambling activities.

In general, Nintendo tends to focus on protecting its core brand rather than targeting minor or unrelated uses of their trademarks.

Final Thoughts

Nintendo’s recent trademark filings may lead to exciting new developments, but they’re unlikely to negatively impact unrelated industries, such as soba shops. Instead, the focus will likely remain on expanding Nintendo’s brand into new ventures, like themed food, accommodation, or merchandise.

While there’s no guarantee these trademarks will lead to specific products or services, it’s thrilling to imagine the possibilities.

Thank you for watching, and let’s look forward to what Nintendo has in store for us!