A metro Detroit couple has filed a class-action lawsuit against the creators of Pokemon Go, which has become a huge success since its debut last month.
The Detroit Free Press reports that the couple, Scott and Jayme Dodich of St. Clair Shores, sued developer Niantic, Nintendo, as well as The Pokemon Company in California federal court.
The Dodiches are suing in order to try and stop Niantic from putting Pokemon on or near private properties unless the owner permits it. The lawsuit also asks that a share of Pokemon Go’s revenue be given to residents whose properties are claimed to be contributing to the game’s popularity and continued success.
The lawsuit states that Pokemon Go has reached 30 million downloads and netted more than $35 million in revenue. The actual numbers, however, may be higher, as Niantic told The Lose Angeles Times this month the game as actually been downloaded close to 100 million times.
The Dodiches explain in their lawsuit that they are tired of Pokemon Go players walking on their lawn, looking into their windows, and even swearing at them on some occasions. They live across the street from Wahby park, which is a gym, and in addition, seven Pokestops are in the nearby area. “Hundreds” of people come by on any given day, the lawsuit states.
“Nobody gets sleep anymore,” the lawsuit says. “How is this acceptable? … They hang out on our lawns, trample landscaping, look in vehicles … We don’t feel safe … I don’t feel safe sitting on our porch.”
“Defendants have shown a flagrant disregard for the foreseeable consequences of populating the real world with virtual Pokemon without seeking the permission of property owners,” it goes on.
Niantic has yet to comment on the lawsuit, but the Dodiches are not the first to speak out against Pokemon Go to protect their personal property.
