Pokemon Go Class Action Proposes Settlement to Court

The popular game Pokemon Go is a big hit with gamers, parents, and doctors, but not as much for police and some unwitting homeowners that somehow found themselves in the center of a Pokemon Go craze, and had to file a class action.

Basically, the game requires players to roam around the real world to chase after, and catch, Pokemon, which are little fictional creatures. The creatures appear on players' screens using augmented reality, and certain locations are marked as "Gyms" where players can meet up in the digital world, if they are nearby in the real world, in order to have their Pokemon battle each other. The big problem, sometimes those gyms and the Pokemon would be located on private property, and players were disturbing the residents.

Easy Removal Process

The class action case seems to have reached a proposed settlement that will provide individuals residing in homes the ability to have Pokemon gyms and gathering points located within 40 meters removed from the game.

The process is designed to make it simpler for those people who are bothered by the groups that play the game, and may inadvertently, or intentionally, trespass to do so. The lawsuit alleged that players would often trespass on private property while playing. Coupled with the removal process for homes, the settlement would also require the company to restrict the hours of certain in game locations that are located at public parks that have posted hours.

Other Relief

In addition to the streamlined process to remove disruptive game locations, the settlement also provides for a new in-game warning that advises players to be courteous and respectful to the real-world surroundings. This warning will not only be rotated into the lineup of warnings that greet players while waiting for the game to load at startup, but it will also appear when players begin a "raid" which is basically when 10 or more players are actively playing in the same area at the same time.

Related Resources:

• China Sees Nat'l Security Risk in Pokemon Go (FindLaw's Technologist)
• Pokemon Go's Terms of Service Are Scarier Than a 350CP Cubone (FindLaw's Technologist)
• Pokemon Go Is the Perfect Bar Exam Study Break, Study Aid (FindLaw's Greedy Associates)