Iowa man sued Nintendo to become a certified ‘Professor of Pokémon’ and sought $341,000; judge calls case ‘completely frivolous’

An Iowa man’s unusual legal battle to become an official “Professor of Pokémon” has ended after a federal judge dismissed his lawsuit against Nintendo of America and Pokémon Company International, calling the case a “completely frivolous waste of the court’s time and resources.”

Kyle Owens, 34, of Laurens, Iowa, had asked a federal court to recognize him as a certified Pokémon Professor, restore his access to official Pokémon Professor tools and allow him to host Pokémon events. He also sought $341,000 in damages, arguing that the companies had violated federal antitrust laws.

But U.S. District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand was not persuaded by the claims and dismissed the case.

Why did Kyle Owens sue Pokémon?

Owens’ lawsuit stemmed from his rejection from the Pokémon Professor program, a system that allows approved volunteers to help organize and run official Pokémon events.

According to a report of KCCI, which cited court filings, Owens was told by Pokémon Company International on March 12, 2024, that he had passed the program’s basic exam. However, his acceptance was not automatic. He was required to undergo a background check before he could officially join the program.

The background check reportedly uncovered a pending arrest warrant from another state. The warrant had been issued in 2022 after Owens allegedly failed to appear in court on misdemeanor charges.

On May 6, 2024, Pokémon Company International informed Owens that his application had been denied after the company reviewed the results of his background check.

Owens argued that the decision went beyond his own rejection. He claimed that keeping him out of the official Pokémon organized-play system reduced competition and limited consumers’ access to an Iowa-based event host.

He subsequently sued Nintendo of America and Pokémon Company International, invoking federal antitrust law and the Sherman Act.

Judge says $341,000 claim was ‘dubious, if not outright absurd’

The companies did not file a response to Owens’ lawsuit, but Judge Strand dismissed the case.

The judge took particular issue with Owens’ demand for $341,000 in actual damages, describing the amount as “dubious, if not outright absurd.”

According to the ruling, there was no evidence that Pokémon Company International had promised to certify Owens regardless of what emerged from his background check.

Instead, the judge said the certification was conditional on the results of that screening.

The court concluded that the defendants had “simply declined to certify an individual with a history of criminal proceedings” through a program involving volunteers who work with Pokémon enthusiasts, including children.

That distinction was central to the judge’s decision: passing the basic exam did not mean Owens had an unconditional right to become an official Pokémon Professor.

Judge warns Owens about future lawsuits

The Pokémon case was not the only lawsuit Owens had filed.

Judge Strand also dismissed three other unrelated cases brought by Owens, who was representing himself without an attorney.

The judge warned him that representing himself would not protect him from potential sanctions if he continued to bring frivolous claims.

“Owens is put on notice that if he files further cases, or makes further arguments, that are deemed frivolous on initial review, he will be directed to show cause why he should not be monetarily sanctioned,” Strand wrote.

The warning, however, did not stop Owens from filing another federal lawsuit.

The day after the Pokémon decision, he filed a new case involving the City of Pocahontas, the Laurens Police Department and Pocahontas County. That lawsuit concerns the registration of his dog and alleges violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and his First Amendment rights.

What is a Pokémon Professor?

Despite the unusual title, a Pokémon Professor is not an academic position.

The Pokémon Professor program is part of the franchise’s organized-play ecosystem. Certified volunteers can help run official Pokémon events and tournaments, creating spaces where players can compete, learn and interact with other fans. The can become assistants, judges, and ambassadors for the Play! Pokémon program.

The Pokémon franchise itself began in Japan and grew into a global entertainment phenomenon spanning video games, trading cards, animated films and merchandise. While originally marketed heavily toward children, Pokémon has developed a huge adult following among gamers and collectors.

For Owens, however, the path to becoming an official Pokémon Professor ended not with another exam, but with a federal judge dismissing his lawsuit—and warning that future frivolous litigation could potentially lead to monetary sanctions.