With Pokemon GO’s popularity and the number of people around the world playing it, we suppose a lawsuit was bound to happen sooner or later, which is why it doesn’t really come as a surprise to learn that a class-action lawsuit has been filed against Niantic, Nintendo, and The Pokemon Company.
So what’s with the lawsuit? What’s the grievance? According to a report from the Detroit Free Press, a couple by the name of Scott and Jayme Dodich of St. Clair Shores is unhappy about the way the game has allowed the public to encroach upon private property. Basically they are upset that the developers have allowed Pokemon to spawn near private properties, which in turn encourages players to trespass.
The lawsuit reads, “Nobody gets sleep anymore. How is this acceptable? … (Players) hang out on our lawns, trample landscaping, look in vehicles … We don’t feel safe … I don’t feel safe sitting on our porch.” Niantic has tried to address this issue in the past by saying they’ll be more careful, but unfortunately it’s too little too late.
In terms of damages, they are seeking a share of the game’s revenue, which last we checked was over $200 million, to be given to residents whose properties are said to have “helped” the game’s popularity.
Filed in . Read more about Apps, Legal, Niantic, Nintendo and Pokémon GO.