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Pokémon Party Planner: Settlement Offer Rescinded

Seattle cafe manager Ramar Larkin Jones told Game Informer on Monday that The Pokémon Company International (TPCi) has rescinded its offer of a settlement in the company's lawsuit against him for organizing a Pokémon-themed party that allegedly infringed on its copyright.

According to Jones, the offer was pulled because he had "badmouthed" TPCi, though he denied that he had. He also said that he was "trying to get them to put the settlement back on the table so that we can be done with this entire thing."

Jones launched a GoFundMe crowdfunding campaign on Thursday for the US$4,000 settlement TPCi had allegedly asked for to cover its legal fees. According to Jones, he was given a deadline of 45 days to produce the settlement, but he said he did not have "anywhere close" to that amount of money. As of press time the campaign has earned US$4,108.

Jones shared the alleged letter from TPCi's attorneys and a draft judgment. Both documents refer to a US$5,400 settlement—US$5,000 in attorney fees and US$400 in court filing fees—but neither mentions the 45-day time limit.

Ramar Larkin Jones and Zach Shore attempted to organize the "5th Annual Unofficial Pokémon PAX Kickoff Party." The party would have taken place at the 500 East restaurant and bar on August 27, on the eve of the local Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) Prime convention on August 28.

Jones claimed that he received no cease and desist order before TPCi filed a lawsuit on August 26.

TPCi's complaint cited the event's poster, its Facebook promotion, and its advertised activities as the infringing elements. The event's poster used images of the copyrighted Pokémon characters Pikachu and Snivy, and the event had also previously used Pikachu's image to promote the event on Facebook. The complaint also noted that the event would have featured, among other things, "Pokémon themed shots and drinks, Smash Bros. Tournament with cash prize, Dancing, Giveaways, Cosplay Contest and more," as well as an "AMAZIN POKEMON MASHUP."

TPCi's complaint noted that it aims to "put an end to and obtain redress for [Jones and Shore's] blatant and willful infringement of TPCi's copyrights." Ruckus Productions, a business entity that Jones and Shore run, is also listed as a defendant beside both individuals. TPCi sought damages, attorney's fees, and an order to stop future instances of the event.

In September, TPCi voluntarily dismissed the charges on Shore only.

Source: Game Informer

Thanks to Somer-_- for the news tip.