A Two-Year Legal Battle Finally Ends
After nearly two years in court, Umamusume: Pretty Derby developer Cygames and Konami Digital Entertainment have officially settled their long-running $29 million USD patent lawsuit, closing one of Japan’s most talked-about gaming disputes.
当社に対する訴訟の和解についてhttps://t.co/uSBIUkhWhG
— Cygames公式アカウント (@Cygames_PR) November 7, 2025
The case, filed in March 2023 at the Tokyo District Court, saw Konami accuse Cygames of patent infringement over gameplay systems used in Umamusume: Pretty Derby. Konami claimed that Cygames had violated Japanese Patent No. 5814300, which covers a training-based system allowing players to raise characters through story-driven events influenced by support characters, mechanics similar to those seen in Konami’s Power Pro Baseball and Tokimeki Memorial series.
At the time, Konami demanded an injunction to halt the game’s development and approximately ¥4 billion (US$29 million) in damages.
The Source of the Dispute
At the heart of the lawsuit was Umamusume’s signature “training” and “career” systems, where players develop horse-girl idols by managing their stats and utilising support cards that influence performance and story progression. These mechanics became one of the game’s defining features and a major part of its appeal.
Konami, however, viewed these systems as overlapping with its patented gameplay structure. Cygames, supported by its parent company CyberAgent, denied the allegations and filed invalidation trials for all 18 patents referenced in the lawsuit, asserting that there was no infringement.
Settlement Reached, But Terms Stay Confidential
On 7 November 2025, both companies confirmed that an amicable settlement had been reached, covering both the lawsuit and the patent invalidation trials. Cygames released an official statement reaffirming that it still believes no patent violation occurred but decided to settle “to quickly resolve the dispute and ensure that users of Umamusume: Pretty Derby can continue to enjoy the game with peace of mind for a long time to come.”
The financial terms of the agreement remain confidential under a nondisclosure agreement, though CyberAgent reported that the impact on its business performance would be minor, suggesting no major financial blow.
Umamusume Marches On
With the legal cloud now lifted, Umamusume: Pretty Derby will continue operations without interruption. The mobile and PC title remains one of Japan’s top-grossing games, regularly ranking near the top of app store charts and generating billions of yen in annual revenue.
Image Credit: Cygames
Since launching globally in July 2025, Umamusume has exploded in popularity among international audiences, blending racing gameplay, character training, and idol culture in a way that few games can match. Fans have even taken their love offline, celebrating real-world horses like Haru Urara and hosting themed cosplay events.
The timing of the announcement couldn’t be better. Just as the settlement was finalised, Cygames released a brand-new Career scenario for global players, the “Unity Cup (Shine On, Team Spirit!)”, as part of the game’s Half-Anniversary celebrations.
What It Means for the Industry
This settlement serves as a reminder of how gameplay system patents are increasingly shaping the gaming industry, especially in Japan where competition among developers is fierce. While the full details may never be made public, the resolution shows that even major disputes can be settled without affecting players.
For fans, the takeaway is simple: Umamusume: Pretty Derby isn’t going anywhere, it’s back on track and galloping toward an even brighter future.