Cards Against Humanity has initiated legal action against SpaceX, claiming that the aerospace firm illegally occupied a parcel of land on the US-Mexico border that the game company purchased in 2017. The suit, filed on Wednesday in Cameron County District Court, accuses SpaceX and its contractors of usurping the property without permission.
According to Ars Technica, Cards Against Humanity bought the land as part of its 2017 holiday campaign aimed at hindering former President Trump’s efforts to construct a border wall. The company claims to have received $15 donations from 150,000 supporters to fund the purchase under the premise of making the wall’s construction as difficult and expensive as possible.
The complaint alleges that SpaceX not only used the land without approval but also significantly altered its condition. The suit includes photographs from 2017 showing the land in its original state and recent images depicting construction equipment and materials reportedly belonging to SpaceX. Cards Against Humanity maintains that it has maintained the property with a fence and a “No Trespassing” sign since its acquisition.
The lawsuit, which can be reviewed in full here, seeks up to $15 million in damages. This figure covers the cost of restoring the property, loss in fair market value, and other financial losses, including damages to Cards Against Humanity’s reputation.
Additionally, the lawsuit contends that SpaceX acquired numerous vacant lots adjacent to the property and began using the Cards Against Humanity land indiscriminately. Reports allege that SpaceX and its contractors have cleared vegetation, compacted soil, and stored construction materials on the land without regard for property boundaries or ownership rights.
“SpaceX has never asked for permission to use the Property,” the complaint states, “and has treated the Property as its own for at least six months without regard for CAH’s property rights nor the safety of anyone entering what has become a worksite governed by OSHA safety requirements.”
Calls to SpaceX for comment went unanswered as of the publishing of this article. Further updates will be provided if the company issues a response.