A man in Iowa has filed a lawsuit in federal court against Nintendo and The Pokémon Company International after being denied the title of 'Pokémon Professor.'

A man named Kyle Owens claims that despite passing the exam to become a Pokémon Professor, his certification was denied due to the results of a background check. According to the Iowa Capital Dispatch, Owens is suing for $341k in damages and demanding certification, citing violations of the Sherman Antitrust Act.

The incident dates back to March 2024, when Owens was notified by The Pokémon Company International that he had passed the introductory exam for the 'Pokémon Professor' program. A mandatory background check followed, and on May 6 of that year, the company denied his application, citing the results of that check. Along with the rejection notice, Owens' exam score was adjusted from the perfect score he initially claimed to 80.

In his complaint, Owens alleges that the company initially cited a criminal record from over a decade ago as the reason for denial, but later changed the justification to three misdemeanors for which he was never convicted. The background check reportedly revealed outstanding arrest warrants from another state for misdemeanors related to truancy, disorderly conduct, possession of an offensive weapon, and criminal mischief.

The 'Pokémon Professor' is an official certification program named after the professor characters in the Pokémon games and anime. It operates under The Pokémon Company's 'Play! Pokémon' program. Those who earn the certification can serve as judges, assistants, or ambassadors at official events. It also provides opportunities to participate as staff in international tournaments and grants the authority to host local leagues or events.

While the Pokémon Professor role is not a salaried position, organizers can collect entry fees for events they host. For those who own game shops, it can also drive customer traffic. Owens reportedly emphasized that this certification is more than just a hobby, as it entails significant economic activity.

Owens argues that his rejection goes beyond personal harm, claiming it excludes qualified organizers from hosting official Pokémon events in Iowa. He contends that Nintendo and The Pokémon Company are artificially limiting competition by maintaining exclusive control over the professor certification system.

He has invoked antitrust law as his primary legal argument. However, some analysts suggest that because he is not a party to a contract and the civil grounds are weak, he may have had no other legal theory to pursue. Many also believe the argument is a significant stretch, suggesting the lawsuit is likely intended to pressure the company into re-evaluating his certification rather than to win on antitrust merits.

Nintendo and The Pokémon Company International have reportedly not yet issued an official statement on the matter.