Nintendo forces Pokemon shop to change name after armed robbery

A Pokémon card shop in New York is changing its name after Nintendo reached out with concerns about its branding, following an armed robbery at the store.

The Poké Court, a Pokemon card shop and event space, announced on Instagram that Nintendo contacted them regarding their name and logo, which included a red and white Poké Ball. As a result, the store will now be known as The Trainer Court.

The store is changing its brand just weeks after an armed robbery occurred during a busy event in January. After the incident, the Pokémon community showed strong support for the business.

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A post shared by The Trainer Court (@thepokecourt)

Nintendo raises concerns over name and logo

In a statement shared to Instagram, the shop addressed the change directly.

We received a message saying Nintendo contacted us because they had some issues with our name and logo. This is a positive sign that we’re growing and changing!

The company is changing its branding with a new logo. It’s moving away from the Poké Ball design and using a stylized “C” to stand for “Court.” The website and signs in stores will also be updated to match the new look.

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A post shared by The Trainer Court (@thepokecourt)

Despite the name change, the team said operations will remain the same.

We’ve always loved Pokémon,” the statement said. “We’re just a group of people who are young at heart, and we enjoy celebrating this franchise every day because it means so much to us.

The Trainer Court will remain a hub for Pokemon fans, continuing to host regular events, weekly activities, and tournaments. They’ve also announced a special Pokemon Day celebration on February 27th to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the popular franchise. With a fresh new look, The Trainer Court is excited to start a new phase, all while staying dedicated to Pokemon cards, collectors, and building a strong community.

In February 2025, a small supermarket in Costa Rica called ‘Super Mario’ faced a legal challenge from Nintendo. However, Nintendo ultimately failed in its claim that the store infringed on their copyright.

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2026-02-18 21:48