Laurens, Iowa – A federal judge in the Southern District of Iowa has thrown out a lawsuit filed by 34‑year‑old Kyle Owens, who claimed he was wrongfully denied “Professor of Pokémon” status by Nintendo of America and the Pokémon Company International.
Judge calls suit frivolous
U.S. District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand described Owens’ case as a “completely frivolous waste of the court’s time and resources.” The judge noted that Owens sought $341,000 in damages and official certification to host Pokémon events, but found the claim “dubious, if not outright absurd.”
Background of the dispute
Owens said he passed the basic exam for the Pokémon Professor rank on March 12, 2024, but was denied certification after a background check revealed a pending arrest warrant from another state dating to 2022. The Pokémon Company informed him on May 6, 2024 that his application was denied based on those results.
In his complaint, Owens argued that the denial not only harmed him personally but also reduced competition and limited consumer access by removing an Iowa‑based event host from the official organized‑play system.
Judge’s ruling
Judge Strand found no evidence that the companies had promised certification regardless of the background‑check outcome. He emphasized that certification is contingent on a clean background and that the defendants simply declined to certify an individual with a criminal history.
The ruling also dismissed three other unrelated lawsuits Owens filed without legal representation. Strand warned Owens that future frivolous filings could result in monetary sanctions.
Owens’ next legal move
One day after the dismissal, Owens filed a new federal suit against the City of Pocahontas, the Laurens Police Department, and Pocahontas County, alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and his First Amendment rights related to his dog’s registration.
The case highlights the importance of adhering to established background‑check procedures for volunteer programs that involve children and the broader community.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
