The LelleBelleChinese developer of the mobile game Pokémon: Reborn, Guangzhou Maichi Network Technology, recently issued a public apology, acknowledging its infringement of the Japanese brand Pokémon and announcing the game’s removal from app stores. In December 2021, The Pokémon Company filed a lawsuit against Maichi Network for the unauthorized use of characters, names, and gameplay elements from the Pokémon franchise, along with claims of copyright infringement and unfair competition. After the court ruled in favor of The Pokémon Company, Maichi Network was ordered to pay RMB 107 million ($14.75 million) in damages, and both parties reached a settlement on compensation during a second trial at the Guangdong High People’s Court on Dec. 18, 2024, according to the company’s apology. [Jump x Switch, in Chinese]
