Residents want a share of the revenue from Pokémon GO because they feel “unsafe” due to the game.
In recent weeks, there have been many reports of public places wanting nothing to do with the “Pokémon GO” hype. For example, a library in Utah was no longer okay with being marked as a PokéStop in the game. Now it has reached the point where even legal action is being taken against Niantic, Nintendo, and the Pokemon Company because residents are losing sleep.
Residents want a share of the revenue
The couple who filed the lawsuit lives across from Wahby Park. Wahby Park is a public place with 1 Gym and 7 PokéStops. This attracts many “Pokémon GO” players who, according to the couple, are turning the otherwise quiet neighborhood into a nightmare. The lawsuit states: “No one can sleep anymore. They walk through our gardens and look into our cars. We don’t feel safe sitting on the porch.” Some trainers have even allegedly looked through windows into the houses and have insulted the residents.
The lawsuit aims to ensure that no PokéStops can be created on or near private properties without the residents’ permission. Additionally, the plaintiffs want Niantic, Nintendo, and the Pokémon Company to pay a portion of the revenue from Pokémon GO to the residents. After all, the residents’ properties have contributed to the success of Pokémon GO, as stated in the lawsuit.
Whether the lawsuit will be successful and if Niantic will remove the stops is currently unknown.
In New York, the issue of where PokéStops can be placed and which places should be avoided has already come up. Because sexual offenders could use the game and its stops as tools for crimes, an open letter was written to Niantic.
