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Creators of Pokemon Go settle no-go-here class action

Posted On: Feb. 20, 2019 1:29 PM CST

Pokemon Go

Homeowners who wanted Pokemon Go players to go away are getting their wish.

Pokemon Go creator Niantic Inc. has agreed to a system for resolving nuisance complaints, removals of virtual Pokemon “gyms” near homes, an independent audit and more in its Thursday settlement of a lawsuit filed by annoyed homeowners, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The class action consolidated many nuisance lawsuits filed in 2016 upon the record-breaking release of Pokemon Go. The complaints told tales of Pokemon woe: the oceanfront condo residents in Hollywood, Florida, who once woke up in the early morning hours to hundreds of players behaving "like zombies, walking around bumping into things,” the news outlet reported.

Niantic’s injunctive relief includes an agreement that upon complaints of nuisance or trespass and demands of the removal of a "PokéStop" or "Gym," the company will make “commercially reasonable efforts to resolve the complaint and communicate a resolution within 15 days,” according to the outlet.

In addition to managing sites, owners of single-family residential properties get rights of removal within 40 meters of their properties. Niantic will also maintain a database of complaints in an attempt to avoid poor placement and when its system detects 10 or more players congregating, a warning message will appear on their screens reminding them to be courteous and respectful of surroundings, according to the news outlet.

As for money, the named plaintiffs intend to seek service awards for $1,000 awards apiece with all other property owners or renters within 100 meters of a PokéStop, according to the news outlet. It was also reported that lawyers will seek up to $8 million in attorney's fees and $130,000 in expenses.