CyberAgent Inc. announced on November 7 that it has reached an amicable settlement with Konami Digital Entertainment regarding a lawsuit filed against CyberAgent’s subsidiary Cygames and its requests for invalidation trials for patents against Konami. The cause of the legal dispute was Umamusume: Pretty Derby’s alleged infringement upon multiple Konami-owned patents.
The lawsuit in question was filed in May 2023 in the Tokyo District Court, with Konami seeking over $26 million USD in reparations (plus late payment interest), as well as termination of services of Umamusume. Prior to the lawsuit, Cygames was in discussions with Konami regarding patent rights for certain parts of Umamusume’s game system and program. However, Cygames’s view on the issue was not deemed acceptable by Konami, resulting in the Silent Hill publisher’s decision to take legal action.
While it wasn’t made clear which patents Cygames infringed upon, it is speculated that Umamusume’s signature “training” system could’ve been what bugged Konami. After all, Konami is known for multiple titles that utilize such systems, including classics like Power Pros and Tokimeki Memorial.
The conflict further escalated with Cygames demanding trials for the invalidation of each of the 18 patents cited in the lawsuit. However, the two companies have announced that they reached an amicable settlement this month regarding both the lawsuit and the patent invalidation trials. Cygames explained that it still stands by its claim that no patent infringement happened, but their decision to reconcile with Konami was “to ensure that Umamusume fans can keep enjoying the game with peace of mind.”
As stated in the announcement, due to the terms of the settlement, Cygames will not be able to disclose certain details of the legal dispute – which means the nature of the patents in question and the details of the lawsuit will likely remain unknown. Luckily, now that the lawsuit has been settled on a positive note, fans do not have to worry about Umamusume possibly having to shut down.
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(Edited 8/11/2025)
Nobody talk shit against Konami for doing this huh?
Because they’re not Nintendo right?
Konami and Cygames reached an amicable result where nothing changes for the player. Nintendo and Palworld haven’t been able to reach something amicable and it harms the player. No shit the player base will dislike Nintendo, because it affected them.
Brother, Cygames broke the code and made it there own style and thus made Umamusume: Pretty Derby successful. And first off why wait so many years to make this lawsuit? Was it because they felt left out. Of course they are, because they can’t do anything right. Also this lawsuit makes no sense because training mechanics are like on almost in every game. Thank God this lawsuit didn’t pass or is in a still stand right now, because if it does pass, this will be the end of days for every umamusume fans around the world.
The heck, i enjoy both Konami games and i like umamusume pretty derby, why they have to ruin a good game for a dumb reason, go make your games Konami and stop being a btch about a game on phone that started having succes, people these days btching about anything
@0nanymous
What? You’ve never heard of the term “F*CK Konami!”? It was popular around the 2015 when they decided to become gachapon makers and even tried to remove Kojima from MGS5 credits.
Konami is DEAD as far as most gamers are concerned. Honestly this is the first time I heard of their issue with Cygames, and honestly I’m pissed Cygames settled privately… Konami is a shell of its former company. I’m willing to bet the settlement is chump change to Cygameas, considering how much they make from Umamusume… Like throwing a coin to the crazy beggar that just wouldn’t stop nagging at you even if you didn’t do anything wrong.
It’s about time Nintendo fanboys wake up and do the same. Nintendo has been treating gamers like shit long before Konami did.
Because everyone knows Konami is shit and sucks stinky a.s.s. and this kind of behavior is not surprising in the slightest from the famous pachinco makers.