http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9649&Itemid=59
By Tom Ivan
Guitar manufacturer Gibson sent a letter to Activision in January alleging that the Guitar Hero games violate a 1999 patent for technology to simulate a musical performance. "Gibson requests that Activision obtain a license under Gibson's ... patent or halt sales of any version of the Guitar Hero game software," it read.
Activision said in a statement released on Thursday, “Gibson's lawsuit is a transparent end run around an impartial court that Activision asked on March 11 to rule on patent assertions that Gibson knows have no merit.
“Our Guitar Hero retailing partners have done nothing wrong. We will confront this and any other efforts by Gibson to wrongfully interfere with Activision's relationship with its customers and its consumers.”
The statement follows Activision’s filing of a response suit on Tuesday requesting that the US District Court for Central California declare Gibson's patent invalid and bar it from seeking damages.
“As Activision noted in its filing, Gibson waited three years to make its patent allegations, and only did so after it became clear that Activision was not interested in renewing its marketing and support agreement with Gibson. Activision continues to believe that Gibson's claims are disingenuous and lack any justification.“
Activision is also currently engaged in a $14.5 million royalties dispute with original Guitar Hero developer Harmonix.
