Gamer Takes Legal Action Against Nintendo Over Rejected Pokémon Professor Application

Put some respect on Professor Oak’s name: Becoming a Pokémon expert is no walk in the park. Kyle Lee Owens, an aspiring Pokémon Professor from Iowa, learned this the hard way after his application for official designation was rejected. The Pokémon Company deemed his qualifications insufficient, leading to a legal battle.

For those in the trading card scene, Pokémon Professors are more than just characters in the games. The Pokémon Company trains individuals to oversee competitive matches, and this role comes with the title of Pokémon Professor. There are perks, including exclusive merchandise and access to special tournaments.

To earn this certification, one must stay updated with the game through its various expansions. The core values of being a Pokémon Professor include honesty, responsibility, and integrity.

Owens reportedly passed the initial test with flying colors and began the onboarding process. However, during a background check, The Pokémon Company discovered a “low-level Illinois felony” from over a decade ago and a pending arrest warrant in another state for failing to appear in court on misdemeanor charges related to disorderly conduct, possession of an offensive weapon, and criminal mischief, according to court documents.

As a result of these findings, The Pokémon Company allegedly revoked Owens’ application.

In his lawsuit against The Pokémon Company and Nintendo, Owens claims he is missing out on the “economic benefits” associated with hosting events, including “commercial advantages” like “product sales.”

He is seeking $341,000 in damages and wants to be reinstated as a Pokémon Professor. The Pokémon Company’s code of conduct states that Professors are held to a higher standard than regular players, and failing to meet these standards can lead to removal from the program without the option to reapply. The rules also prohibit the unauthorized buying or selling of items, though some disciplinary actions allow for an appeals process. Owens contends he was not given a chance to present his case.

He argues that the failure to appear on his record pertains to an incident from ten years ago, for which he was not convicted, and insists it does not reflect his capability to be a good Pokémon Professor. The lawsuit also accuses The Pokémon Company of monopolizing organized play for its game.

“Plaintiff suffered injury including lost certification, lost business opportunity, lost customer traffic, lost goodwill, and consequential damages,” the filing states.

In related news, a two-year-old Pokémon card known as Bubble Mew recently sold for six figures, raising concerns among TCG fans.