Iowa Man Sues Nintendo to Become a Pokémon Professor

An Iowa man has taken Nintendo to court. All because he wasn't given the title of 'Pokémon Professor'.

Iowa Man Files Lawsuit Against Nintendo

The Des Moines Register reports that 34-year-old Kyle Owens of Laurens, Iowa, is suing Nintendo of America and its affiliate, Pokémon Company International, in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. Ownes is alleging federal antitrust violations by the company. The entire lawsuit is about the official title of 'Pokémon Professor'.

What Is a 'Pokémon Professor'?

The Register reports that the title of 'Pokémon Professor' isn't simply a name. It is a certification and authorization system that allows the title holder to hold official status, host sanctioned card and video game events, have access to official tools, and generate business traffic. In other words, in the world of Pokémon, it's a big deal.

In the lawsuit, Ownes claims that on March 12, 2024, he was notified by Pokémon Company International that he had passed the exam for the title of professor with a score of 100%, according to the Register. He would be welcomed to the program following a standard background check.

According to the Register, the background check found a pending arrest warrant issued by another state in 2022 for failing to appear in court for several misdemeanor charges. Nintendo wrote back to Owens, saying that his application to the professor program had been denied due to the results of his background check.

Owens Suing For Over $300,000

Owens claims in his lawsuit that he was denied certification due to an "old, low-level felony that was more than 10 years old", according to the Register. He goes on to note that the reasoning was later changed to three misdemeanor charges that do not show "guilty findings."

Owens is seeking over $300,000 in court costs and damages, and the title of Pokémon Professor.