Ex-Pokémon Legal Chief: No Lawsuit Over DHS Video
▼ Summary
– The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a video that uses the Pokémon theme song and copyrighted imagery to depict aggressive, militarized police raids.
– The Pokémon Company’s former chief legal officer, Don McGowan, believes his former company will not pursue legal action against the DHS for the video.
– McGowan cites two main reasons for this: some of the company’s US executives are on green cards and depend on the US government, and the company wants to avoid negative press.
– The DHS video is presented as targeting significant criminals, but ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) is currently criticized for wrongfully detaining US citizens.
– The Supreme Court recently ruled in a way that allows ICE to profile individuals based on characteristics like skin color, occupation, and language spoken.
The likelihood of a lawsuit from The Pokémon Company over a recent Department of Homeland Security video appears remarkably slim, according to its former chief legal officer. Don McGowan, who spent nearly twelve years leading the company’s legal team, has publicly stated that he believes his former employer will take no legal action, despite the video’s unauthorized use of the iconic Pokémon theme song and copyrighted imagery. His perspective carries significant weight, given his extensive experience not only at The Pokémon Company but also at major firms like Bungie and Microsoft.
McGowan expressed that even during his tenure, known for an aggressive approach to protecting the brand, he would have avoided this particular conflict. He confidently predicted the controversy would dissipate quickly, suggesting the company would be content to let the matter fade away without intervention. His reasoning points to two primary factors that likely influence this strategic decision.
A crucial consideration involves the immigration status of key personnel. McGowan revealed that many of the company’s top executives in the United States hold green cards, making their residency dependent on the goodwill of the US government. Pursuing litigation against a major federal agency like the DHS could potentially complicate their standing. Furthermore, the company has a strong incentive to avoid the negative press that would inevitably accompany a high-profile legal battle against a government entity.
The DHS video itself, which depicts armed raids set to the cheerful Pokémon theme, has been widely criticized as propaganda. While the agency may intend to showcase operations against serious criminals, the presentation clashes sharply with the franchise’s family-friendly image. This incident occurs amidst ongoing scrutiny of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) practices, including reports of US citizens being detained. A recent Supreme Court ruling has also raised concerns by effectively permitting ICE to profile individuals based on race, occupation, and language. For a global brand like Pokémon, engaging in a legal fight that pulls it into this contentious political arena is seen as an unnecessary risk with little upside.
(Source: The Verge)
