Pokémon Franchise Speaks Out Against Unauthorized Use by Department of Homeland Security
The Pokémon Company International has recently expressed its disapproval of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) use of its characters and intellectual property in a propaganda video. The video, which was uploaded to social media, featured a Pokémon-themed montage of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, complete with the recognizable theme song, original animation, and signature blue and yellow text.
The use of the Pokémon franchise in this context has angered many fans, who feel that the company’s brand is being used to promote a political agenda. In response to the backlash, Pokémon Company International issued a statement clarifying that they were not involved in the creation or distribution of the content and that permission was not granted for the use of their intellectual property.
Unauthorized Use of Intellectual Property
The video in question featured the anime theme song, with the lyrics “Gotta catch ’em all,” playing over segments of federal agents handcuffing people and imagery of a Pokémon character and the Pokéballs used to capture monsters in the game. The video also included mock-ups of Pokémon playing cards with photographs of detainees, which included their full names, crimes they have committed, and details about their convictions and sentencing.
This is not the first time that the Department of Homeland Security has used popular media in its social media posts. The agency has previously used Jay-Z’s “Public Service Announcement” and audio from the 2022 film “The Batman” in its videos. However, the use of the Pokémon franchise has sparked particular outrage, with many feeling that the company’s brand is being used to promote a harmful and divisive agenda.
Concerns Over Propaganda and Intellectual Property
The use of popular media in propaganda videos raises concerns about the unauthorized use of intellectual property and the potential for harm to the brands and creators involved. Comedian Theo Von recently spoke out against the use of his content in one of the agency’s videos, stating that his thoughts and heart on the issue of immigration are more nuanced than the video allowed.
The Pokémon Company International’s statement serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting intellectual property rights and the need for permission and authorization when using copyrighted material. As the company stated, “Our company was not involved in the creation or distribution of this content, and permission was not granted for the use of our intellectual property.”
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