An Iowa man, Kyle Owens, has filed a lawsuit against Nintendo and The Pokémon Company International, seeking $341,000 in damages after he was allegedly denied the prestigious title of 'Pokémon Professor' due to a background check.
Background of the Case
Owens claims that he initially scored a perfect 100 per cent on the professorship test, but his application was later rejected after a background check revealed a pending arrest warrant from 2022. The warrant relates to misdemeanor charges including disorderly conduct, possessing an offensive weapon, and criminal mischief, for which he failed to appear in court.
Lawsuit Allegations
The lawsuit alleges that Nintendo and The Pokémon Company violated federal antitrust laws. Owens argues that the rationale for his rejection shifted from an old felony to the misdemeanor charges, which did not result in guilty findings. He contends that the denial reduces competition in the Pokémon community.
Owens is seeking damages and an injunction that would award him the certification, grant him access to official tools, and allow him to host Pokémon events. The case highlights ongoing tensions between fans and the companies over certification processes.
