Pokemon TCG Store Renames After Nintendo Copyright Concerns Following Robbery

The Poke Court in Manhattan changes name to The Trainer Court after $100,000 armed heist and Nintendo outreach.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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A Pokemon trading card game store in Manhattan, New York called The Poke Court has changed its name to The Trainer Court after being contacted by Nintendo regarding copyright concerns, just over a month after the store was robbed at gunpoint of over $100,000 worth of merchandise.

Why it matters

The armed robbery of the Pokemon TCG store highlights the growing issue of such crimes targeting businesses dealing in high-value collectible items. Nintendo's quick action to address the store's name and branding suggests the company is closely monitoring potential trademark infringement, even in the wake of a traumatic incident for the small business.

The details

The Poke Court, a Pokemon card store in Manhattan, was robbed at gunpoint during its first community event last month, with thieves stealing over $100,000 worth of merchandise in just three minutes. Less than a month later, the store announced it was changing its name to The Trainer Court and removing the Poke Ball logo from its branding, citing concerns raised by Nintendo about the store's name and intellectual property.

  • The Poke Court was robbed at gunpoint on January 15, 2026.
  • The store announced its name change to The Trainer Court on February 17, 2026.

The players

The Poke Court

A Pokemon trading card game store located in Manhattan, New York.

Nintendo

The Japanese multinational consumer electronics and video game company that owns the Pokemon intellectual property.

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What’s next

The Trainer Court plans to host more community events, tournaments, and a special celebration for Pokemon Day later this month.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the challenges small businesses face in navigating intellectual property rights, even in the aftermath of a traumatic crime. Nintendo's swift action to address the store's branding suggests the company is vigilant about protecting its valuable Pokemon franchise, underscoring the need for careful consideration of trademarks and licensing for businesses operating in the collectibles space.