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Cards Against Humanity Sues SpaceX Over Alleged Trespassing
Cards Against Humanity (CAH), the popular party game company known for its provocative humor, has initiated legal action against SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, claiming that the aerospace company has illegally occupied their property in Texas. The lawsuit, which demands $15 million, was filed in a federal court and alleges that SpaceX has been using the land without authorization for at least six months.
The lawsuit detailed that SpaceX has transformed what CAH describes as a “pristine” area into a construction site filled with gravel, heavy machinery, and debris. The complaint articulates the following concerns: “The site was cleared of vegetation, and the soil was compacted with gravel… Generators were brought in to run equipment and lights… An enormous mound of gravel was unloaded onto the Property… In short, SpaceX has treated the Property as its own for at least six (6) months without regard for CAH’s property rights.”
CAH’s predicament stems from an amusing backstory that highlights their quest to become neighbors with SpaceX. Back in 2017, CAH purchased the land near the US-Mexico border as part of a crowdfunded campaign aimed at protesting the border wall proposed by then-President Donald Trump. Since acquiring the property, CAH has actively maintained it, marking it with “no trespassing” signs and performing regular upkeep.
In recent developments, SpaceX expanded their operations into adjacent areas, which led to their alleged encroachment onto CAH’s property as part of ongoing construction efforts. CAH claims they were never consulted or given any form of explanation from SpaceX regarding the usage of their land. They argue that SpaceX even issued a “12-hour ultimatum” for CAH to sell the land at a significantly undervalued price, further compounding their grievances.
Reacting to the ultimatum, CAH has turned to the courts, asserting claims of trespassing and property damage. The company has a unique approach to its potential legal windfall; they have announced intentions to distribute any proceeds from the lawsuit to the 150,000 supporters who contributed to the land purchase in 2017. To facilitate this outreach, CAH has even launched a dedicated website to engage with supporters, outlining how they may be eligible for a portion of the claimed $15 million, albeit with a tongue-in-cheek disclaimer about the likelihood of receiving any payout.
While SpaceX has yet to publicly respond to these allegations, CAH’s lawsuit illustrates broader concerns regarding the company’s expansion strategies in Southern Texas. Reports indicate that several landowners in the area have voiced frustrations towards SpaceX’s aggressive land acquisition methods. This situation reflects a growing tension between SpaceX’s ambitions and the local community’s property rights.
CAH’s decisive actions in this legal battle stem from a deep-rooted ethos to counter social injustice and unethical practices. The company has articulated their discontent with Musk’s alleged tolerance of harmful behaviors, stating, “Allowing Musk’s company to abuse the Property that CAH’s supporters contributed money to purchase for the sole purpose of stopping such behavior is totally contrary to both the reason for the contribution and the tenets on which CAH is based.”
As this case unfolds, it will provide key insights not only into the legal obligations surrounding land use but also examine the ethical responsibilities of corporations towards the communities they impact.
Source
www.engadget.com