SAN FRANCISCO — Lawyers for the company behind Pokémon Go have taken their first swing at knocking out a lawsuit that tests whether property owners can hold the makers of augmented reality games liable for players’ actions in the real world.
Property owners in New Jersey, Michigan and Florida, who were represented by lawyers at Pomerantz LLP, sued game maker Niantic Inc. shortly after the game was released last summer claiming that the company induced players to trespass by placing virtual Pokéstops and Pokémon gyms on or next to private property without sign-off from the real-world owners. Plaintiffs claimed the players created a variety of nuisances, varying from unwanted knocks on the door to players relieving themselves on their property.
