The Pokémon Company Responds to Unauthorised Use of Pokémon in Department of Homeland Security Video

The Pokémon Company has issued a public response following the circulation of a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) video this week that prominently featured the iconic Pokémon anime theme song, as well as visuals from the beloved series and mock trading cards.

The video, published by the federal agency, depicted images and branding closely tied to the Pokémon franchise without prior authorization, leading to widespread discussion among fans and industry observers. Pokémon, a globally recognized brand under the stewardship of The Pokémon Company and its partners including Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures Inc., has maintained a careful approach to its intellectual property since the debut of the Pokémon anime in the 1990s and its massive ongoing success on platforms like the Nintendo Switch.

The recent inclusion of Pokémon material in a U.S.

government video raised immediate questions regarding the proper use of copyrighted material and the legal responsibilities that accompany intellectual property rights. In an official statement released this week, a spokesperson for The Pokémon Company clarified: "We are aware of a recent video posted by the Department of Homeland Security that includes imagery and language associated with our brand.

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." This clear-cut message underscores The Pokémon Company’s strict policy on brand image and intellectual property, signaling that the use of Pokémon content in the DHS video was both unauthorised and unendorsed.

The company's prompt reply comes as many in the Nintendo and gaming community called for clarification, with some expressing concerns regarding potential legal remedies. At the time of writing, The Pokémon Company has not disclosed whether it intends to take legal action or pursue further measures regarding the matter, remaining focused on protecting its intellectual property while engaging with its global fan base.

No additional comments have been provided. The story highlights the enduring prominence of Pokémon, whose influence spans decades of successful video game releases—including best-sellers on the Nintendo Switch—an award-winning anime series, and one of the world’s most popular trading card games.

The incident also underscores the importance of respecting intellectual property rights, especially when dealing with iconic franchises that are deeply embedded in pop culture.

As the situation evolves, both the gaming industry and Pokémon fans worldwide will be watching for any further updates from The Pokémon Company regarding this unsolicited use of its brand.

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