After nearly two years of legal warfare, Konami and Cygames have reached an amicable settlement regarding the patent infringement lawsuit over Umamusume: Pretty Derby, announced November 7, 2025. Both companies have agreed to keep settlement terms confidential under a nondisclosure agreement. While Cygames maintains it never infringed on Konami’s patents, the company ultimately chose to settle “to achieve an early resolution of the dispute and to ensure that users can continue to enjoy Uma Musume Pretty Derby in a safe and secure environment.”
The Two-Year Legal Battle
Konami filed the lawsuit in Tokyo District Court on March 31, 2023, alleging that Umamusume: Pretty Derby infringed upon multiple Konami-owned patents. The publisher sought an injunction to halt the game’s development and provision, plus approximately 4 billion yen (around $29 million at the time) in damages. The dispute centered on alleged patent infringement related to game systems and mechanics, though the specific patents involved were never publicly detailed.
Speculation suggested the controversy involved Umamusume’s signature “training system” where players raise and strengthen horse-girl characters through training scenarios involving various events and support character interactions. This mechanic is believed to share similarities with systems used in Konami classics like Power Pros Baseball and Tokimeki Memorial. Konami’s patent portfolio includes multiple titles utilizing character training and development systems, making this overlap potentially legitimate grounds for concern.
Cygames’ Defense and Counter-Action
Cygames immediately disputed the infringement allegations, asserting that it had engaged in “good faith discussions” with Konami regarding patent rights before the lawsuit was filed. The company stated that these negotiations failed to reach mutual agreement, prompting Konami’s legal action. Cygames was confident in its position, stating “We believe Uma Musume Pretty Derby does not infringe on Konami’s patent rights.”
Rather than accepting Konami’s allegations, Cygames fought back aggressively by filing invalidation trials for all 18 patents cited in the lawsuit. This counter-strategy meant Cygames wasn’t just defending itself against infringement accusations – it was actively challenging the validity of Konami’s patents themselves. For two years, the legal battle raged across multiple fronts.
Why Settle Now?
The timing of the settlement remains interesting. Umamusume: Pretty Derby has been tremendously successful – one of the fastest mobile games to surpass $2 billion in lifetime revenue on iOS and Android. The game generates enormous revenue, with Japan accounting for 95% of spending, followed by South Korea (3.3%) and Taiwan (1%). Despite the legal threat, the game never stopped operating, and Cygames maintained full service continuity throughout the lawsuit.
Cygames’ decision to settle while maintaining its position that no infringement occurred suggests the company calculated that ending the legal uncertainty provided greater value than continuing the fight. Ongoing litigation creates uncertainty for players and investors alike. By settling, Cygames ensures Umamusume can operate indefinitely without legal threat, which benefits both player experience and business stability.
What the Settlement Means
While settlement terms remain confidential, the fact that both parties agreed to an amicable resolution suggests a mutually acceptable compromise. Cygames didn’t admit wrongdoing – it explicitly stated it continues to believe no patent infringement occurred. Konami, for its part, appears to have accepted that the invalidation trials Cygames filed challenged the patents’ validity sufficiently that a court battle offered uncertain outcomes.
The settlement essentially ends the legal dispute and allows both companies to move forward. Umamusume: Pretty Derby continues operating without restriction. Konami avoids the risk of losing the invalidation trials, which could have nullified the patents entirely. Both sides declared respect for each other’s creative efforts and commitment to gaming industry development.
The Broader Patent Landscape in Gaming
This lawsuit represents a rare moment where patent disputes between major gaming companies reached public consciousness. Most game industry patent conflicts occur behind closed doors or settle quietly. The Konami vs. Cygames case gained attention because it threatened a massively popular game and generated fan concern about Umamusume’s future.
The settlement demonstrates that even contentious patent disputes can be resolved through negotiation rather than court battles. Given the unpredictability of patent litigation and the business disruption it creates, companies often prefer settlement despite disagreements about merit. The gaming industry benefits when innovation isn’t strangled by patent disputes, and this settlement allows both Konami and Cygames to continue creating games without legal entanglement.
Community Relief
Umamusume: Pretty Derby players expressed relief at the settlement announcement. The game had maintained continuous service throughout the lawsuit, but the legal threat created uncertainty about long-term viability. Players in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan can now enjoy the game without concerns that Konami might secure an injunction halting development. The settlement provides peace of mind that Umamusume will continue receiving updates and support indefinitely.
Cygames’ commitment to settling partly to ensure “users can continue to enjoy Uma Musume Pretty Derby in a safe and secure environment” reflects recognition that player satisfaction depends on legal stability. Ongoing litigation created psychological uncertainty even if actual disruption seemed unlikely.
FAQs
When was the lawsuit filed?
Konami filed the lawsuit in Tokyo District Court on March 31, 2023, with the announcement coming May 17, 2023.
When was the settlement reached?
The settlement was announced November 7, 2025, nearly two years after the initial lawsuit filing.
How much was Konami seeking?
Konami sought approximately 4 billion yen (around $29 million at the time of filing) in damages plus an injunction halting the game.
What specifically was Umamusume accused of infringing?
The lawsuit cited 18 Konami patents, with the primary concern believed to be the game’s training system and character development mechanics.
Did Cygames admit wrongdoing?
No, Cygames explicitly maintains that no patent infringement occurred, even while settling.
What are the settlement terms?
Settlement terms remain confidential under a nondisclosure agreement between both parties.
Will Umamusume continue operating?
Yes, the settlement allows Umamusume: Pretty Derby to continue full operations without legal restriction.
What strategy did Cygames use?
Cygames filed invalidation trials for all 18 patents cited, actively challenging their validity rather than just defending against infringement allegations.
Is Umamusume available globally?
Umamusume: Pretty Derby is currently available only in Asia, with Japan accounting for 95% of player spending.
How successful has Umamusume been?
One of the fastest mobile games to surpass $2 billion in lifetime revenue, achieving this milestone in just two years on iOS and Android.
Conclusion
The Konami vs. Cygames settlement represents a pragmatic resolution to a contentious patent dispute that threatened one of mobile gaming’s most successful titles. While the specific settlement terms remain confidential, the fact that both parties agreed to end the litigation reflects mutual recognition that ongoing legal warfare offered uncertain benefits compared to negotiated compromise. For Umamusume: Pretty Derby players, the settlement provides reassurance that the game will continue thriving. For Konami and Cygames, it enables both companies to focus on creative development rather than legal battles. In an industry where innovation sometimes gets tangled in patent disputes, this settlement demonstrates that even seemingly intractable conflicts can be resolved when both parties prioritize moving forward over vindication. The horse girls race on.