Pokemon Go catches lawsuit for game's creators

The hunt for Pokemon has led the popular game's creators to a courthouse.

A New Jersey man filed a lawsuit Friday in California federal court against Niantic Labs and Nintendo, claiming that the game is creating a nuisance by leading players seeking mythical, miniature monsters to his house and backyard. The lawsuit, which seeks class-action status, claims that the game's GPS coordinates place sought-after Pokestops and gyms on or directly adjacent to private properties without owners' consent.

"At least five individuals knocked on plaintiff's door, informed plaintiff that there was a Pokemon in his backyard, and asked for access to plaintiff's backyard in order to 'catch' the Pokemon," according to Jeffrey Marder's complaint. "Defendants have shown a flagrant disregard for the foreseeable consequences of populating the real world with virtual Pokemon without seeking the permission of property owners."

Pokemon Go, which was released July 6 in the US, encourages you to walk around in the real world with your phone and find mythical creatures called Pokemon. The game has shattered download records and is used more than the likes of Twitter and Facebook.

But the game isn't so popular with everyone, especially those who complain of players trespassing on their property. Not long after the game's launch, a Vancouver man posted a sign in front of his apartment building advising Pokemon Go players to: "GET A LIFE AND STAY OUT OF MY YARD." The game has also caused mass frustration for a neighborhood in Sydney, Australia, with hundreds flocking to the otherwise-quiet suburb for Pokemon.

And it's not just residents up in arms over Pokemon Go. A police department in Southern California has pleaded with players to stop calling 911 with questions about whether the police station houses monsters.

Niantic representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but the company's guidelines for the game urge players to "not trespass, or in any manner gain or attempt to gain access to any property or location where you do not have the right or permission to be."

Nintendo representatives declined to comment.