The Pokémon Company did not authorize the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to use its theme song 'Gotta Catch 'em All' in a viral video published last Monday that highlighted ICE deportations.
"We are aware of a recent video posted by the Department of Homeland Security that includes imagery and language associated with our brand," a Pokémon Company representative told The Daily Beast. "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."
The DHS video, which is still available on X, uses the first Pokémon anime theme song and clips of its opening mixed with real footage of ICE operations in the recent government crackdown against immigrants in the U.S.
The post received mixed reactions. While some users were supportive and made even more connections between ICE's work and Pokémon, others were tagging Nintendo of America and The Pokémon Company in the replies, calling for a lawsuit.
Nintendo and The Pokémon Company are known for suing regular people and companies for copyright infringement whenever they use Pokémon to promote anything. They've sued all kinds of people and entities, from big developers like Palword's Pocketpair for copying Pokémon's game mechanics to a random guy throwing a Pokémon-themed party in 2015. But suing the U.S. government would be a first.
It's unclear whether The Pokémon Company will seek legal action against the DHS. The company's former chief legal officer doubts it will happen because The Pokémon Company doesn't like to be in the press for controversial reasons and because "many of their execs in the USA are on green cards."
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The post The Pokémon Company breaks silence on DHS using ‘Gotta Catch ’em All’ in viral ICE raid video appeared first on Destructoid.
