Konami, franchise editor like Silent Hill, and Cygames, developer of the successful mobile game Umamusume: Pretty Derby, announced the end of their patent legal dispute, one of the largest in the recent history of Japanese entertainment.
The lawsuit was filed in march 2023 before him Tokyo District Court, when Konami accused CyberAgent —cygames parent company— to infringe a patent related to game mechanics. The company demanded compensation of approximately 4 billion yen (about 29 million dollars) and the immediate suspension of the distribution of the title.
Agreement and withdrawal of the claim
After months of negotiations, both parties confirmed that the conflict was resolved through a extrajudicial agreement. According to the portal Automaton, Konami officially withdrew the lawsuit, allowing that Umamusume: Pretty Derby continue operating without modifications.
In a financial statement, CyberAgent he indicated that “a resolution has been reached” and that the economic impact on his performance will be “less”. Although the terms of the agreement remain confidential, everything indicates that the companies chose to close the case to avoid further legal and media repercussions.
One of Japan's biggest mobile hits
Released by Cygames in 2021, Umamusume: Pretty Derby combine horse racing and idol culture, quickly becoming a cultural and economic phenomenon. The title remains among the most profitable in the Japanese App Store- with billions of yen in annual revenue and a strong fan base both in Japan and abroad.
Thanks to the deal, the game will remain available unchanged, preserving its status as one of the biggest mobile hits of the decade.
