Summary: A man is suing Pokemon Go makers for putting virtual creatures in his yard.
When people creep up on your space, you can yell, “Get off my lawn!” Or you can opt to sue. That’s what one New Jersey gentleman is doing after Pokemon Go players invaded his property, trying to catch them all!
According to ABC News, Jeffrey Marder of West Orange, New Jersey sued Niantic, the maker of Pokemon Go, because the popular video game placed virtual characters on his property without permission. This led to players trespassing on his lawn, which he said “interfere[d] with [his] use and enjoyment of the property.”
Marder’s lawsuit is a proposed class action. He wants to include any other property owners who have been negatively affected by the game, which uses cell phone and GPS capabilities to integrate real life with a video game that hunts creatures. The game has been credited for getting players to not only go outside but to also interact with other players. It has become such a phenomenon that it was recently parodied by Smosh in the following viral video:
However, the fervor of the players have caused annoyance for Marder. He said that since the game has placed creatures on his property, numerous people have knocked on his door, asking for access to his backyard.
So far Marder is the only plaintiff of the suit, although another potential plaintiff was named. ABC News spoke to the named person, who said that he didn’t mind the Pokemon Go players who lingered near his Massachusetts home where a Pokemon Gym was placed.
“It was barely a nuisance; it’s been a net positive, and we’ve managed to meet a bunch of our neighbors,” said Boon Sheridan to ABC News. “I asked to have it removed and Niantic removed it within 48 hours.”
Sheridan said he was surprised that Marder had named him, but he also did not think the lawsuit should be dropped either. According to ABC News, the game has reportedly led players to sensitive locations such as the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
Marder has also named Nintendo and The Pokemon Company as defendants in the lawsuit.
Do you think Pokemon Go’s makers should pay up? Let us know in the comments below.
Source: ABC News
Photo courtesy of The Verge