Nintendo and The Pokemon Company sued by Iowa man
Intelligence Summary
- A new lawsuit claims Nintendo and The Pokemon Company wrongfully denied Kyle Owens of Iowa entry into the Pokemon Professor program.
Nintendo and The Pokemon Company sued by Iowa man
Nintendo and The Pokemon Company are once again facing a lawsuit, this time filed by 34-year-old Kyle Owens of Iowa. The case centers on the denial of Owens’ access to the Pokemon Professor program, for which he reportedly took and passed an exam. The dispute has led to claims for damages and access to the prestigious program.
Background of the lawsuit
Owens, who applied for Pokemon Professor status in 2024, initially received a 100% score on his exam. However, after a background check revealed an outstanding arrest warrant, his score was changed to 80% and he was denied entry. The issues uncovered in the check reportedly included failure to appear in court for disorderly conduct and possession of an offensive weapon.
What is a Pokemon Professor?
In the world of Pokemon, a Pokemon Professor is an important figure associated with Play! Pokemon programs. They serve as assistants, judges, and ambassadors, and have exclusive access to the Professor Store. They can also host official Pokemon events. Owens’ rejection from the program is said to be harmful to competition and consumer access, as he claims to be a qualified event host from Iowa.
Nintendo’s legal history
Nintendo is no stranger to legal disputes. In the past, the company has fought and won numerous lawsuits. One notable case came shortly after the release of Donkey Kong in the early 1980s, when Universal filed claims over alleged infringement of its King Kong trademark. Nintendo won that case and has since built a strong reputation for legal victories. More recently, Nintendo has also filed lawsuits, including one against Palworld, which it alleges infringes on its patents.
Timeline
2024 - Kyle Owens applies for Pokemon Professor status and completes the exam with a 100% score.
2024 - Owens’ background check reveals an outstanding arrest warrant, leading to his score being changed to 80% and his application being denied.
2026-05-19 - Owens files a lawsuit against Nintendo and The Pokemon Company, seeking $341,000 in damages and access to the Pokemon Professor program.
As of now, Nintendo and The Pokemon Company have not responded to Owens’ lawsuit. Given their long history of fighting legal battles, it will be interesting to see how this case develops and what impact it could have on the Pokemon Professor program.
