This happens all the time.
Although I recently learned that Nintendo got Sued by a Sony employee who owned the patent they used for Glasses-free 3D screens. He wont the case and got just over 1% of all earned from 3DS sales.. ie. He got a lot of money.
There's only 2 races: White and 'Political Agenda'
2 Genders: Male and 'Political Agenda'
2 Hairstyles for female characters: Long and 'Political Agenda'
2 Sexualities: Straight and 'Political Agenda'