Iowa Man Sues After Being Denied To Be A “Professor Of Pokemon”

The resurgence of Pokemon is no joke.

A lot of us over a certain age remember Pokemon cards and shows from the 90's and early 00's. We had binders full of Pokemon cards to play with and trade. This year, the original Pokemon cards have gone bonkers in value (feel old yet?). It's also been about 10 years since people wandered the world like zombies trying to catch Pokemons on Pokemon Go.

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It's become so big that 34-year-old Kyle Owens from Laurens sued Nintendo of America and it's affiliate Pokemon Company International in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. Owens is alleging "federal antitrust actions" that go against the Sherman Act.

The Sherman Act basically stops companies from trying to cheat consumers or form monopolies.

Owens wanted a court order and injunction (along with $341,000 in damages) and to be awarded 'Pokemon Professor' status.

Yes, that is a real thing.

Owens said that in March 2024, Pokemon Company International had said he had passed the basic exam for rank of 'Professor of Pokemon' but before he could be accepted, he had to submit a background check. (Which actually makes sense, as 'Professors' are allowed to host Pokemon events, etc.)

Owens' background check found that he had a pending arrest warrant from 2022 for failure to appear on misdemeanor charges. When that popped up, Pokemon was like 'no'.

In the lawsuit, Owens said that the denial harmed him personally and also "reduced competition and consumer access" by not allowing a qualified, Iowa-based event host from the sanctioned, organized Pokemon events.

An Iowa judge is not having this.

U.S. District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand dismissed the lawsuit this week, calling it a "completely frivolous waste of the court’s time and resources".

Owens had filed 3 other unrelated lawsuits, all without an attorney, and the judge told him that not having an attorney doesn't protect him from "future sanctions" if Owens keeps up with this.

Owens has since filed a federal lawsuit related to the registration of his dog.