Posted Mar 21, 2008 at 07:36PM by Sally B. Listed in: News, Games, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, Rock Band Tags: Activision, MTV, Electronic Arts, patent, Harmonix
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Guitar Hero controller Activision - Image 1As we have reported in a previous article, guitar maker Gibson Guitar recently filed a lawsuit against six major retailers (Wal-Mart, Amazon, Kmart, GameStop, Target, Toys "R" Us), aside from Activision. But now, Gibson has added more names to its legal bulldozer with a second patent infringement lawsuit that now includes Harmonix, its owner MTV Networks, and game publisher Electronic Arts.

According to Gibson's latest suit, Harmonix' Rock Band (Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3) violated one of their patents, which describes a device being used to simulate a concert performance. The device consists of a musical instrument, and 3D visuals supplied by a head-mounted 3D display with stereo speakers.

It should also be noted that before Gibson took action and attempted legal action on other game makers and retailers, Activision sued Gibson, asking for an official declaration that it is not violating Gibson's patent in any way.

Similar to Activision, which declared that Gibson's claims are "disingenuous and lack any justification," Harmonix responded to the lawsuit by saying that Gibson's patent infringement suit is "completely without merit." Harmonix explained:

Gibson's patent, filed nearly 10 years ago, required a 3D display, a real musical instrument and a recording of a concert. Rock Band and Guitar Hero are completely different: among other things they are games, require no headset and use a controller only shaped like a real instrument.


There you have it. We just wish that this issue will get a speedy resolution, so gamers will have less time to waste and more time to rock and roll.

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2 Comments


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   by LordQuas431 - 2008-03-21
 » .

I said it in the last one too, Gibson is like the Metallica of peripherals

   by Johnny_V - 2008-03-22
 » Hey Gibson! You want money? GET WORKING!

Man, the economical crisis is sure getting stupid to some american companies... What the fck is gibson trying to pull? Are they so stupid that they can't even see that there is no reason whatsoever on their lawsuit? A head mounted 3D Display???
When we finally have 3D TV give me a call will 'ya?
And using a real instrument... Yeah, that would be cool... but how the hell am I supposed to plug my real gibson guitar to the ps3 control port???
GIBSON GO GET A LIFE!



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