Konami Sues Rock Band Creator Harmonix
By Tyler Ryan on Jul 11, 2008 in News
Looks like we have yet another patent lawsuit in the rhythm games genre.
Konami, makers of such games as Guitar Freaks and Dance Dance Revolution, are suing Viacom’s Harmonix Studios, the creators of Rock Band.
Konami is claiming that Rock Band violates patents that Konami holds.
The patents in question, from 2002 and 2003, related to simulated musical instruments, a music-game system and a “musical-rhythm matching game.” This is all starting to sound very familiar.
More details after the break.
Konami announced in May that they plan to begin selling their own rock band game call “Rock Revolution” which will be released later this year.
As part of the lawsuit, Konami is looking for cash compensation, as well as a court order to prevent Harmonix from using the inventions.
The suit names Harmonix Music Systems, Viacom, and Viacom’s MTV Networks Co., which owns Harmonix.
Look for “Konami Digital Entertainment Co. v. Harmonix Music Systems Inc., 08cv286, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (Marshall)” - coming to a courtroom near you.
It looks to me that Konami has realized (likely after some market research) that Rock Revolution will likely be a failure, and has decided that the only way they can beat the competition is to prevent the competition from selling games.
Admittedly, with Konami having produced similar arcade games in the past, they have more of a leg to stand on in the lawsuit than Gibson Guitars do, but the timing of this lawsuit does nothing to increase my desire to purchase Rock Revolution when it comes out.
What do you think of this lawsuit? Do you sympathize with Konami?
Edit: Harmonix has recently responded to the lawsuit saying;
“Konami’s actions are extremely surprising. Unfortunately, successful products such as ‘Rock Band’ can often become targets for baseless litigation. We have substantial defenses to this claim and intend to vigorously defend it.”
Source: Bloomberg.com - Konami Sues Viacom Over Rock Band Music Video Game
Related Links:
Console Hero - Details of Gibsons Lawsuit Against Guitar Hero Retailers
Console Hero - Gibson Guitars is now Suing Harmonix
That just shows that Komani are pussies. They stated in May that they were going to make a game for this year but Rock Band was released in November and due to it to great in the first month for sales, you just knew that there was going to be a next Rock Band.
Screw you Rock Revolution.
I think we all should counter-sue Konmai for being a bunch of wusses.
ZED | Jul 12, 2008 | Reply