Last year, Gibson Guitar Inc. filed a suit against Activision's Guitar Hero for allegedly violating patent rights. About a year later today, a U.S. District Court in the Central District of California has finally given out its decision, holding that the music game franchise does not infringe on a 1999 Gibson patent, which simulates musical performance using a 3D headset display and stereo speakers. Read more in the full article.

(Editor's Note: The weekend has landed! Easter eggs are rolling all over the place in this edition of QuickJump QuickPeek.)

From the ubiquitous Konami code that unlocks 99 lives all the way up to GTA: Vice City Stories' very much, err, literal "Easter egg" via the helipad, gamers have a different meaning for the Easter bunny's painted gifts. Start scouring through the bushes! Here in QuickJump QuickPeek 39, we're touring around gaming town for Easter eggs. Wohoo!

Wondering just what is up with Gibson Guitar and its suing frenzy over its alleged 1999 patent? Well, we're wondering, too, but it seems that Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter knows the inside score. So, what does the man think about Gibson suing everyone involved with Guitar Hero and Rock Band (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii)? Check it out after the jump.

Suits and countersuits, statements and counter-statements have flown back and forth between the camps of Gibson Guitar and Activision for patent infringement. Today's update on the issue centers on a recently filed suit against retailers of the game. The defendants? Wal-Mart, Amazon, Kmart, GameStop, Target, and Toys "R" Us. Check out the entire story at the full article.

Despite the amount of heat Activision has been getting lately with the patent violation lawsuit filed by Gibson against it, the video game company coolly replied with its own statement regarding the accusations. You can read all about Activision's response in our full article after the jump.

It seems that God of War 2 director Cory Barlog has finally let us in on some of the details of the new project he'll be working on with film director George Miller. Suffice to say, they will be resurfacing a classic 1980's movie title and adapting it to the video game platform. To find out what this new project is all about, click on the "read more" link below for more information.

Activision is definitely taking the hits nowadays. First it was Harmonix lodging a royalty suit with the company - now, Gibson Guitars, maker of fine musical axes for those of us ready to rock, has just filed a patent suit with them. It seems that the Guitar Hero franchise is infringing on one of their patents, made back during 1999. Check out all the details in the full article.

Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, and Nintendo Wii owners who are currently rocking hard with Activision's Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock will be glad to know that their virtual rock god experience is about to get a bit more realistic. Activision and Gibson have announced a collaboration that will herald the 2008 arrival of wireless Les Paul six-strings designed specifically for the popular video game.

 

As if not content with the stylish Guitar Hero controllers available in the market, one guy and his friends decided to transform an authentic Gibson electric guitar into something that should work with Activision's upcoming Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, PC) or possibly even in Harmonix' Rock Band (Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360).

It took around 12 hours to strip both Gibson and Guitar Hero instruments and making the circuit board work under its new skin. First off, you'll have to take your guitars apart. After that, it takes a long process with the help of desoldering tools to take the insides of the Guitar Hero controller and make it compatible with the real thing.

There should be a hole for the strum bar, and it'll be held by the pickups which can be adjusted for stability. The frets will have to be attached to the strings, while wires run along the Gibson's neck. It goes without saying that making your custom Guitar Hero controller work can be challenging. For those who are interested, there are steps on how to do it via Read link below.

RedOctane's kept guitars cordless and the finish polished for rockers on the Nintendo Wii, the Sony PlayStation 3 or PlayStation 2, and Microsoft's Xbox 360. The specialty pre-order store at RedOctane for Activision's Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock lists all versions available for early orders.

The site also shows each Gibson Les Paul and the special Kramer in their own glory - the Kramer, of course, being available only with the PS2 bundle. Only the Nintendo Wii version of Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock gets to have a white finish to it, letting it stand out from the two black-polished versions for the Sony PS3 and Xbox 360.

Content-wise, each package rolls with the same gear, although the Wii and PS2 versions come US$ 10 cheaper than the next-generation platforms' premium US$ 89.99 price tags. In quick contrast competition-wise, Electronic Arts' Rock Band peripherals were confirmed to all come in wired versions, which may already have turned wireless-loving Harmonix fans elsewhere.

Buy: [Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock Bundle (PS3)]
Buy: [Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock Bundle (Xbox 360)]
Buy: [Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock Bundle (Wii)]