The first thing to consider regarding the legality of selling Pokémon Go accounts is the game’s Terms of Service (ToS). Niantic, the developer of Pokémon Go, has a clear stance. According to the ToS, players are prohibited from selling, trading, or transferring their accounts to others. The ToS states, “Pokémon GO accounts are any circumstances law, a change of legal control, merger, or acquisition.”
Intellectual property rights
Intellectual property rights are another legal issue when selling Pokémon Go accounts. Pokémon is a trademarked and copyrighted franchise owned by The Pokémon Company. Niantic has licensed the rights to use the Pokémon intellectual property in Pokémon Go, but this does not give players the right to sell accounts containing Pokémon. Selling Pokémon Go accounts could be considered a violation of The Pokémon Company’s intellectual property rights. You could be liable for copyright and trademark infringement if you sell your account. The Pokémon Company has a history of aggressively protecting its intellectual property, and it is not uncommon for the company to take legal action against those who infringe on its rights.
Fraudulent activity
Associated with selling pogo accounts for sale are the potential for fraudulent activity. When you sell your account, you give someone else access to your personal information, including your email address, payment information, and other sensitive data. Scammers may use this information to commit identity theft, credit card fraud, or other illegal activities. If your account is used for fraud, you could be held liable for any damages or losses incurred by the victim. This is why it is essential to be cautious when selling your account and to only deal with trusted buyers.
Risks of buying accounts
While selling Pokémon Go accounts is a legal risk, buying them is dangerous. When you purchase an account, you cannot know whether the seller obtained the account legitimately or through cheating or hacking. If you buy an account obtained through cheating or hacking, you could risk having the account banned by Niantic. This means you could lose all the money you paid for the account and any progress you made while playing on it. Additionally, buying Pokémon Go accounts can be risky from a financial perspective. Scammers may take your money and never deliver the account or deliver an account that is not as high-level or rare as promised.
Alternatives to buying and selling accounts
If you are tempted to buy or sell a Pokémon Go account, it is essential to consider the legal and financial risks involved. However, there are alternatives to engaging in this risky behaviour. One option is to play the game legitimately and work up to a high-level account with rare Pokémon. While this may take more time and effort than buying an account, it is a much safer and more rewarding way to play the game.
Another option is to join a Pokémon Go community and trade Pokémon with other players. Trading is a legitimate way to obtain rare and powerful Pokémon without resorting to buying or selling accounts.
