Pokémon Lawyers Won’t Sue DHS For That Video, Former Legal Head Predicts
Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shocked the internet by posting a video using the iconic Pokémon theme song alongside copyrighted clips from the ‘90s TV show. The video depicts militarized raids with handcuffs and zip ties — imagery many fans found disturbing. But according to industry insiders, Pokémon lawyers won’t sue DHS for that video, former legal head predicts.
Why Pokémon Likely Won’t Take Legal Action
The Pokémon Company has a reputation for fiercely protecting its brand. From fan games to merchandise knockoffs, the company rarely hesitates to send takedown notices or pursue lawsuits. Naturally, many assumed this DHS propaganda video would trigger a similar response.
But Don McGowan, The Pokémon Company’s former Chief Legal Officer who spent nearly 12 years there, says that won’t happen. “Even if I was still at the company I wouldn’t touch this, and I’m the most trigger-happy CLO I’ve ever met,” he told IGN. According to him, the controversy will “blow over in a couple of days.”
The Strategic Reasoning Behind Silence
So why wouldn’t Pokémon take action here? McGowan points to two main reasons:
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Business Ties To The U.S. – Some Pokémon executives in the U.S. are on green cards, meaning they rely heavily on maintaining good standing with the government.
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Avoiding Negative Press – Filing a lawsuit against DHS could spark more headlines and prolong the controversy, something the company doesn’t want.
Instead, the brand will likely let the situation fade without drawing further attention.
The Bigger Context Around The DHS Video
As Kotaku highlighted, the DHS video was reportedly aimed at showcasing raids against serious criminals. But critics argue the agency is sending the wrong message, especially as ICE faces allegations of detaining U.S. citizens and racial profiling.
By using Pokémon imagery, DHS may have intended to soften its messaging, but the backlash shows the strategy may have backfired. Still, as McGowan predicts, Pokémon’s legal team will sit this one out.
While many fans expected swift action, Pokémon lawyers won’t sue DHS for that video, former legal head predicts, marking a rare case where the company chooses silence over litigation. For The Pokémon Company, preserving long-term business interests and avoiding unwanted headlines appears more important than winning a legal battle.
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