It has been a very long time since my last post. Please forgive me, I was on break to take the Texas State Bar Exam. I missed Intellectual Property so much, since it was not even slightly tested on the Exam. However, over my break I encountered many IP issues in my travels.

One topic, to which I was introduced, was Geocaching. When I first heard the term, I thought it was pronounced “geocash,” and I thought it was similar to bitcoin. However, Geocaching is apparently an older concept that widespread internet access. Geocaching is an on-going scavenger hunt, where prizes are hidden and discovered using GPS coordinates.

Now a days, the hunter must register to a website where locations are posted.  Each person that visits a treasure site can take the treasure, sign a continuing log of everyone who visited the site, and then leave behind a treasure for the next hunter. Many people can see a few similarities to this activity and the new Pokemon GO game, however, I was berated for comparing the two. Geocaching is older, unique, more sophisticated, and very touchy about being compared to anything.

However, there are many laws and authorities that people should be aware of when participating in this activity.  Law enforcement have had issues in the past with dangerous activity near the hidden sites. There are inherent dangers involved with geocaching, such as visiting a site on the side of a mountain, or in the middle of a desert, but there are dangers with the regular public sites as well. There are many stories of drugs and other contraband being left at sites, as well as sites made for the purpose of luring in victims for robbery or worse. People should go to sites in groups and during regular hours of the day.

Mostly, law enforcement wants people to be logical and responsible when geocaching. If you are making a site, do so on public property or speak to the owners of the private property. Do not mark the treasure as dangerous, warning or caution, even if you trying to wart off non-hunters, also known as Muggles, for those Harry Potter fans. Label the site, usually a plastic container, as Geocache and give contact instructions with the owner or the container, in case there is an issue and the police require more information.

As for hunters, authorities ask that no one trespasses on private property, and also to carry some identification and evidence of the website and the coordinates given, in case of being stopped at a location. Many of these rules mirror the new videos for safely participating in Pokemon GO. The Geocache websites include safety precautions to consider before beginning your Geocache experience, and encourage safe and entertaining use of these networks.

Happy Hunting!