PokéBeach
| PokéBeach | |
|---|---|
| "Your Ultimate Pokémon Fansite!" | |
 | |
| Language | English |
| Status | Active |
| Run | 2003 - Present |
| Date opened | July 15, 2003 |
| Creator | Jon Sahagian, a.k.a. Water Pokémon Master |
| Forum | PokéBeach.com Forums |
| Mascot | Staryu |
| Website | Main Page |
PokéBeach is a Pokémon fan site run by Jon Sahagian, better known as "Water Pokémon Master". The site focuses on several aspects of the fandom, though its primary focus is the Pokémon Trading Card Game. The site was formerly well-known for its card scans.
History
The site was launched in its current form on July 15, 2003, although Sahagian had previous iterations of the site going back to 1999. Since then, it has become one of the most popular Pokémon fan sites on the internet.
In July 2008, Sahagian was able to have an interview with Masamitsu Hidaka, a director and storyboard artist for the anime. In it, he revealed previously unknown information about the series, including discussion about the intended purpose of the GS Ball and the reasons behind Brock's replacement in the second anime season.
Upon the release of Pokémon Black and White in September 2010, PokéBeach was among a few websites to receive a cease and desist order from Nintendo for posting early images of Pokémon Black and White. The site then temporarily changed all pictures from the games to pictures of Ditto and changed their name to PokerBeach as a joke to protest Nintendo's actions. It has since gone back to using the images and using the name PokéBeach.
On November 12th, 2012, the site's forums revamped its rules and changed its content policy to PG-13 to better cater to older fans. Prior to this, moderation policies went through a strict review and were revamped.
On May 11th, 2013, PokéBeach disclosed information from a supposed "insider" about Pokémon X and Y, although they were unsure if the information was real. Over the coming year, most of the information slowly revealed itself to be true, such as the new Fairy type, Mewtwo having two "formes," Pancham's evolution, the unusual method for evolving Inkay, and more.
The website went through a redesign in May 2015, introducing several new features and a complete overhaul of the forums. A premium subscription was announced, where TCG strategy articles and decklist advice are available for a monthly fee. The card scans feature was greatly expanded, including the ability to purchase cards through an affiliate link. Additionally, the site's affiliation with TCG One was announced.
In April 2017, PokéBeach launched a Discord server to replace their old Skype chat.
Lawsuit
In June 2015, Sahagian was sued by The Pokémon Company International for violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act by "willfully and deliberately infringing TPCi’s intellectual property in connection with the PokéBeach Site and the TCG One game", which PokéBeach was hosting at the time, causing "irreparable harm" to the company. The lawsuit alleged that PokéBeach was violating copyright and provided false copyright management information in relation to card scans using watermarks and the existence of TCG One, the latter of which was referred to in the case as "an unauthorized version of PTCGO". Other parts of the lawsuit also referenced Pokémon Showdown as an "Infringing Game".
On September 8, 2015, the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington ruled in favor of TPCi against Sahagian, ordering the site to end affiliation with TCG One, provide TPCi with all contact information Sahagian had for "all persons and/or entities involved with the creation, development, marketing, advertising, hosting, or distribution of TCG One", remove all card scans from the website, and destroy all copies of card scans and TCG One-related files, among other injunctions.
Staff
- Water Pokémon Master - Administrator/Social Media
- peer - Programmer
- Shining Raikou - Social Media
Forums
- Administrator - Shining Raikou
Super Moderators
- Asclepius24 – Pokemon TCG Head
- Athena – Beach Life Head
- Brave Vesperia – Marketplace Head
- Equinox – Pokemon VG Head
- Ice Arceus – Creative Works Head
Moderators
- bbninjas
- Bolt the Cat
- bonus41
- Camoclone
- Celever
- homeofmew
- Jabberwock
- Kecleon-X
- Luispipe8
- Machamp the Champion
- Materious17
- Mora
- MtheW
- Robin Aisaga
- SaiScott95
- scattered mind
- SilverSilent
- Siren
- steffenka
- Tails
- Yakkov
News
- Water Pokémon Master - News Head
- Athena
- bbocwerdna
- Celever
- Machamp the Champion
- My Little Keldeo
- Rusty Sticks
- steffenka
Articles
- Water Pokémon Master - Articles Head
- Brandon Nguyen
- Camoclone
- DogStar
- Grimsashi
- Machamp the Champion
- Phototoxin
- SaliosGnome
Activities
- Shining Raikou - General Activity Head
General Activity Organizers
- Athena
- bbninjas
- Celever
- Ice Arceus
- Luispipe8
- Machamp the Champion
- Materious17
- SilverSilent
Video Game Organizers
- Bolt the Cat
- Brave Vesperia
- Camoclone
- Celever
- Equinox
- homeofmew
- Mora
- Yakkov
Video Game Tutors
- Equinox - Video Game Tutor Head
- iSharingan
- Keeper of Night
- PG24
- Yakkov
Chat Room
- Shining Raikou - Chat Room Head
Moderators
- Brave Vesperia
- Celever
- Equinox
- Machamp The Champion
- One Approved
- peer
- PikaMasterJesi
- SilverSilent
Badges
- Shining Raikou - Badges Head
- Brave Vesperia
- homeofmew
- Machamp the Champion
- PG24
External links
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