GU Comics by: Woody Hearn

A year after Gibson filed infringement charges against Guitar Hero maker Activision, a California court has dismissed the case saying "As a general observation, no reasonable person of ordinary skill in the relevant arts would interpret the [Gibson's] Patent as covering interactive video games".
Source: Gamasutra [ more info ]

I read this news item yesterday, whilst pressing my fingers to my mouth to stifle a "Tee Hee". Last year I commented on this law suit, deeming Gibson's suit as a blatant money grab and a petty attempt to weasel money out of Activision after finding out they were not going to renew their marketing and support agreement with the guitar maker. Now a California District Court has basically agreed with me and Gibson gets the Big Fat "L".

I'd like to think this will put to rest all the frivolous lawsuits surrounding the plastic guitar centered rythm games, but even as you read this MTV Games is wrestling with Warner Music group because Warner CEO, Edgar Bronfman Jr., feels the company is not being paid enough money for the inclusion of their songs in music-based video games. **rolls eyes violently** It's not a legal battle yet, but at some point Bronfman will probably convince investors that they've been had by the game industry and they'll come up with some lame excuse to try to sue for "damages".

Freakin big money music companies. Less greed, more realizing these games are actually helping you move your product. Ask Aerosmith what they think of Guitar Hero.

[ discuss ] - replies ( 16 ) last post by: Mallakith