Cards Against Humanity Lawsuit: SpaceX Trespass Case Settled

Cards Against Humanity and SpaceX Resolve Trespassing Dispute

The contentious legal battle between Cards Against Humanity and SpaceX has concluded with a settlement, occurring a year after the initial lawsuit was filed. This followed a marketing effort by the game company directed at Elon Musk’s space exploration firm.

Land Acquisition and Initial Conflict

The origin of the dispute lies in a parcel of land acquired by Cards Against Humanity in 2017, situated along the Rio Grande in Cameron County, Texas. The purchase was financed through crowdfunding, with 150,000 contributions of $15 each, totaling $2.25 million, intended to obstruct the construction of President Donald Trump’s proposed border wall.

This land bordered SpaceX’s Starbase, a rocket launch and development facility. Issues arose in 2024 when Cards Against Humanity alleged that SpaceX was trespassing on their property and depositing construction debris and equipment there. (Requests for comment from SpaceX and its legal representation went unanswered.)

Settlement Details and Compensation

The specific terms of the settlement remain confidential. Initially, Cards Against Humanity sought $15 million in damages, with plans to distribute up to $100 to each supporter who contributed to the land purchase.

However, contributors will not receive monetary compensation. Instead, they will be offered a “brand new mini-pack of exclusive cards all about Elon Musk,” a special expansion to the game, as detailed in a recent email from the company.

“Although we are unable to provide the cash you anticipated from Elon Musk, we aim to compensate you, our valued customers, with humor!” the company communicated in the email sent on Monday, referencing the upcoming card pack.

Company Statements and Land Restoration

“We are pleased to have challenged the actions of a powerful entity like Musk and to have secured a settlement,” Cards Against Humanity stated to TechCrunch. The company confirmed that SpaceX has removed its construction materials and that they are actively working to return the land to its original condition, free from “space garbage and pointless border walls.”

In a previous communication to its supporters, Cards Against Humanity described the situation, stating: “Unfortunately, a wealthier, and arguably less considerate individual – Elon Musk – encroached upon the land, depositing gravel, machinery, and space-related waste.” They even created a website, “www.ElonOwesYou100Dollars.com,” to highlight the issue.

Initial Expectations and Legal Realities

Cards Against Humanity emphasized that its “reputation for fulfilling promises” was at stake. However, they also cautioned supporters that “Musk possesses significantly greater financial resources and legal representation, suggesting a potential payout of only a few dollars.”

Ultimately, contributors will not receive any financial reimbursement.

The legal proceedings progressed rapidly, with both sides completing the discovery phase, exchanging evidence prior to a scheduled trial in November. Cards Against Humanity informed TechCrunch that SpaceX acknowledged the trespass during discovery, which the gaming company considered a significant validation of their claims.

Decision to Settle

Cards Against Humanity expressed confidence in their chances at trial, stating they were “prepared to proceed and believed they would prevail.” However, the company determined that the cost of a trial would exceed the potential recovery from SpaceX.

“Texas law generally does not allow for the recovery of legal fees. While we had a strong case based on the facts, Musk and SpaceX could easily outspend us,” the company explained.

Musk’s Litigation History

Elon Musk is known for his assertive approach to legal disputes, often defending his companies vigorously. He once asserted that Tesla’s legal team would “never surrender or settle an unjust case,” even if defeat was probable.

Despite this stance, Musk’s companies frequently reach settlements. The Cards Against Humanity case is not an isolated instance; X recently settled a complaint filed by former Twitter executives, and Tesla has resolved numerous cases related to its Autopilot system. However, Tesla did lose a high-profile Autopilot case after declining a settlement offer.