Yes — Wizards of the Coast formerly held the official North American license to publish and distribute the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) from the franchise’s introduction in North America until that license was transferred in 2003[3]. Wizards published the Base Set and subsequent early expansions for the North American market[3]. After 2003 the license and publishing responsibilities moved to The Pokémon Company (through its international arm), which has published and managed the TCG since then[3].
Essential context and supporting details
– Who actually owns Pokémon as an intellectual property: Pokémon is jointly owned by three Japanese companies — Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures — with The Pokémon Company handling franchise management and licensing operations internationally in cooperation with those owners[1].
– Wizards’ role and timeframe: Wizards of the Coast introduced and ran the Pokémon TCG in North America beginning with the Base Set in 1999 and continued until the license was transferred in 2003, at which point The Pokémon Company International took over publication and distribution duties[3].
– Post-Wizards situation: Since the transfer, The Pokémon Company International (the branch of The Pokémon Company responsible for markets outside Japan) has managed the TCG globally, including publication, distribution, and licensing for cards and related merchandise[3].
– Why multiple companies are involved: The Pokémon property is unusual because ownership and licensing are shared among several entities (Nintendo, Game Freak, Creatures), and The Pokémon Company was established to coordinate the franchise and its merchandising/licensing worldwide[1]. This shared ownership and the centralized licensing function explain why third parties (like Wizards) could hold regional publishing licenses for a time, and why control later consolidated under The Pokémon Company[1][3].
Notes about terminology and common confusions
– “Own” versus “license”: Wizards of the Coast did not own Pokémon as an IP; they were a licensed publisher for the Pokémon TCG in North America for a defined period[3]. Ownership of the Pokémon IP remained with Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures, with The Pokémon Company administering the brand and licensing globally[1].
– Regional licensing: The TCG’s publisher and distributor have varied by region and over time; Wizards’ involvement was specifically a regional (North American) publishing license that later reverted to Pokémon Company-controlled entities[3].
If you want, I can:
– Provide a detailed timeline of which companies published/distributed Pokémon TCG by year and region.
– Find primary sources (press releases or official statements) confirming the 2003 transfer.
