Guitar maker Gibson sues MTV, EA over ‘Guitar Hero’
As a huge fan of the Guitar Hero games, I love the fact that I can pick up and play with a plastic guitar based on various models by the world’s most famous guitar manufacturer, that of Gibson. However, it seems that may not be the case for much longer, at least if a lawsuit brought by Gibson succeeds.
Gibson is currently bringing lawsuits against Wal-Mart and five other retailers, Harmonix, the developers of the games, and MTV Networks and Electornic Arts, the publisher and distributor.
The guitar manufacturer is arguing that by publishing or selling the games, the previous companies are violating a 1999 virtual-reality patent the guitar maker holds.
According to The Associated Press, this patent, dated Nov. 23rd, 1999, describes a device that lets users “simulate participation in a concert by playing a musical instrument and wearing a head-mounted 3-D display that includes stereo speakers.”
For those who have been locked in a cellar for the last 5 years, Guitar Hero works by allowing gamers to use a string less, plastic guitar which corresponds to the graphical display on the console.
Although Activision isn’t being targeted directly in the lawsuit, the company behind the game have argued quite vehemently that it doesn’t want or need a license under the patent. They even counter sued Gibson earlier this month asking for a federal court declaration to throw out any case which may be brought.
George Rose, Activision’s general counsel, said:
“We disagree with the applicability of their patent and would like a legal determination on this.”
This could all be bad news for fans of the series, as well as new franchise Rock Band, as Gibson want the companies named int he lawsuit to stop selling the games completely.
It seems strange that it’s taken so long for Gibson to notice the patent violation and decided to do something about it.
Activision claims that its because it only became a problem once the guitar manufacturer realised it was not interested in renewing the License and Marketing Support Agreement which has been used up until now.
I just hope that this gets sorted out, and fast. I need to keep rocking with my plastic Gibson or life may very well not be worth living any longer.
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