Which company sued Nintendo over Donkey Kong's alleged similarity to King Kong?

Which company sued Nintendo over Donkey Kong’s alleged similarity to King Kong? Universal City Studios sued Nintendo.

The dispute became the 1983 case Universal City Studios, Inc. v. Nintendo Co., Ltd. Universal claimed that Donkey Kong infringed its rights in King Kong, arguing that the game’s giant ape, damsel-in-distress scenario, and climbing premise were confusingly similar. Universal also sent demands to Nintendo’s licensees, including Coleco.

Nintendo fought the claim rather than accepting a licensing deal. Its attorney, John Kirby, emphasized differences between the two properties and challenged Universal’s ownership claims. Nintendo also argued that Universal had previously taken the position that King Kong’s story and characters were in the public domain.

Judge Robert W. Sweet ruled for Nintendo in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in December 1983. He found no likelihood of confusion and concluded that Universal did not possess the claimed exclusive rights. An appeals court later upheld the key rulings, making the case an important video-game trademark dispute.