Even if it was (a lot of similar designs are due to common inspirations such as folk tales, but also a lot are direct parodies, and parodies can be made legally distinct) (but also, the Pokemon team itself rejected the copyright suit suggested by the public in their own public statement a while ago) the lawsuit is over parents, not copyright. Patents implies technological theft. Or bogus patent claims, more often than not. (Patenting math should be illegal, for instance.)
Even if it was (a lot of similar designs are due to common inspirations such as folk tales, but also a lot are direct parodies, and parodies can be made legally distinct) (but also, the Pokemon team itself rejected the copyright suit suggested by the public in their own public statement a while ago) the lawsuit is over parents, not copyright. Patents implies technological theft. Or bogus patent claims, more often than not. (Patenting math should be illegal, for instance.)