SpaceX has settled a lawsuit filed by the maker of the popular party game Cards Against Humanity over accusations that Elon Musk’s rocket company trespassed and damaged a plot of land in Texas owned by the card company.
Texas court records confirm a settlement was reached in the case last month, just weeks before a jury trial was set to begin on November 3. Cards Against Humanity stated that it could not disclose the terms, while SpaceX has not responded to requests for comment.
Headquartered in Chicago, Cards Against Humanity bought the land in Cameron County, Texas, in 2017 as part of a stunt opposing President Donald Trump’s proposed border wall.
The lawsuit alleged that SpaceX had unlawfully used the property, treating it as its own for a period of six months. The complaint detailed that SpaceX placed construction materials and debris on the land without obtaining permission.
During the discovery phase, Cards Against Humanity reported that SpaceX acknowledged the trespassing. The company expressed that moving forward with a trial would have incurred costs exceeding potential winnings from the case.
Following the settlement, Cards Against Humanity noted that SpaceX has removed its construction equipment and they are working with a local landscaping company to restore the land to its original condition, free of debris.
Previously, the company had raised funds from 150,000 contributors to purchase the land and had hoped to refund donors from any settlement proceeds. They sought $15 million in damages for the loss of vegetation on the property.
While they were optimistic about compensating donors, the company cautioned that those involved might not see substantial returns, stating, probably only be able to get like $2 or most likely nothing.
Overall, Cards Against Humanity has maintained the land in its natural state, utilizing a “no trespassing” sign to deter unwanted access.
