Support NeoGAF

[TheOddOne]

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601101&sid=aHQODoKwFYrA&refer=japan

July 10 (Bloomberg) -- Konami Corp., the Japanese creator of the ``Dance Dance Revolution'' music video game, sued Viacom Inc.'s Harmonix studio, claiming its ``Rock Band'' game violates patents.

The Konami patents, issued in 2002 and 2003, relate to simulated musical instruments, a music-game system and a ``musical-rhythm matching game.'' Konami also makes the ``Karaoke Revolution'' music game with microphones, as well as the ``Metal Gear Solid'' espionage game.

``Rock Band,'' the game in which players emulate rock and rollers with toy instruments, drove a 16 percent increase in first-quarter revenue at New York-based Viacom's media networks business. Konami's Digital Entertainment unit said in May it plans to begin selling its own rock band game, called ``Rock Revolution,'' later this year.

Konami is demanding cash compensation, plus an order that would block Viacom and Harmonix from using the inventions, according to the complaint, filed yesterday in federal court in Marshall, Texas. The suit names Harmonix Music Systems, Viacom, and Viacom's MTV Networks Co., which owns Harmonix.

Viacom spokeswoman Kelly McAndrew said the company hasn't received the complaint, so had no immediate comment.

Konami American depositary receipts, each representing one ordinary share, fell $1.67, or 5.2 percent, to $30.15 at 4:02 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. They have risen 26 percent in the past year. Viacom's Class B shares rose 22 cents to $28.12 and have dropped 32 percent in the past year.

The case is Konami Digital Entertainment Co. v. Harmonix Music Systems Inc., 08cv286, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (Marshall).

 

[Exempted]

Now that MGS4 is out of the way, Konami has to get money from something.

 

[sneaky77]

We cannot compete and we did not have the foresight to invest into the idea when we were first to market with it... therefore now we are gonna sue

 

[evilromero]

So the article didn't even mention that Konami released Guitar Freaks and Drummania years ago? That would have at least made a whole lot more sense.

 

[disappeared]

Shit just got real.

 

[AmMortal]

Viacom Payback for what you did to Youtube users.

 

[ZealousD]

Oh boy.

It's In the Groove all over again.

 

[Giard]

They've waited a long time to sue, didn't they?

 

[Guybrush Threepwood]

Anything that hurts Viacom is a good thing in my book.

Fuck them up the ass.

 

[Classic_Gs]

Would be pretty funny if Konami won.

 

[Fantastical]

Viacom Payback for what you did to Youtube users.

:lol Knew this would come up.

Spoiler

GET 'EM KONAMI

 

[Dark Octave]

We cannot compete and we did not have the foresight to invest into the idea when we were first to market with it... therefore now we are gonna sue

Exactly. But why are they not suing for Guitar Hero as well? And what took them so long?

Nevermind. I already know the answer to that last question.

 

[ZealousD]

They've waited a long time to sue, didn't they?

Well of course. Now that Konami's coming out with Rock Revolution, Rock Band is officially competition.

 

[a Master Ninja]

rock and rollers

out of touch CONFIRMED

 

[Somnia]

Activision might not be infringing on their patents so who knows.

 

[JonathanEx]

Exactly. But why are they not suing for Guitar Hero as well? And what took them so long?

Activision paid up for the patent use.

 

[dragonlife]

Viacom Payback for what you did to Youtube users.

What did they do?

Oh, and why the hate towards this Viacom? I don't keep up with the music genre so I don't know what goes on. Enlighten me?

 

[RyanDG]

Exactly. But why are they not suing for Guitar Hero as well? And what took them so long?

Nevermind. I already know the answer to that last question.

I'm wondering if the lawsuit more has to do with the use of the linked music systems found in Drummania and GuitarFreaks rather than just a Guitar-accessory...

 

[TrueReligion]

ruh oh


it's about time, Konami.

 

[Jamesfrom818]

Wait. You can own patents to videogame genres? I gotta go claim shooters that are played from the first person perspective.

 

[[Nintex]]

Thisshitjustgotreal.gif

Anyway, they might have a case but would that mean the end of the Rock Band franchise?

 

[Visualante]

Viacom counter sue Konami for Rock Revolution.

 

[Fantastical]

What did they do?

Oh, and why the hate towards this Viacom? I don't keep up with the music genre so I don't know what goes on. Enlighten me?

Viacom sued Youtube to get all private information about all users and videos they watch (I think that's right ).

 

[Developer in Training]

Konami has legitimate grounds, and they can maintain their integrity since they did start the whole guitar, drum, singing games.

 

[Dark Octave]

Activision paid up for the patent use.

Activision had the smarts to get a patent but Viacom didn't? What do their layers do all day? How do multi-million dollar corporations let things like this slip through the cracks? This is basic stuff here.

 

[Death_Born]

The Konami patents, issued in 2002 and 2003, relate to simulated musical instruments, a music-game system and a ``musical-rhythm matching game.'

Oh no, they're coming for Elite Beat Agents next!

 

[Kai Ozu]

wow

 

[AmMortal]

What did they do?

Oh, and why the hate towards this Viacom? I don't keep up with the music genre so I don't know what goes on. Enlighten me?

They actually are trying to force YouTube to reveal private information about YouTube users, as part of their case against YouTube.

Watch MTV. You'll know why they're hated

 

[zoku88]

Is there a reason Guitar Hero isn't a target?

 

[grandjedi6]

Wait. You can own patents to videogame genres? I gotta go claim shooters that are played from the first person perspective.

pretty sure someone has tried that one already

 

[Knocks]

Google probably hooking Konami up with some free ad clicks to encourage the lawsuit

 

[Jamesfrom818]

Google probably hooking Konami up with some free ad clicks to encourage the lawsuit

I half expect Google to be snakified for the next few days.

 

[BeEatNU]

Activision had the smarts to get a patent but Viacom didn't? What do their layers do all day? How do multi-million dollar corporations let things like this slip through the cracks? This is basic stuff here.

you don't want to mess with Activisions Lawyers

 

[GhaleonQ]

So the article didn't even mention that Konami released Guitar Freaks and Drummania years ago? That would have at least made a whole lot more sense.

Are you asking for INFORMED reporting? What other imaginary constructs would you like to materialize in this world?

 

[grandjedi6]

Activision had the smarts to get a patent but Viacom didn't? What do their layers do all day? How do multi-million dollar corporations let things like this slip through the cracks? This is basic stuff here.

Viacom is just a parent company and most likely didn't even double check Rock Band at all. The real question is why MTV games and Harmonix didn't pay for the patent. And their is likely a bureacratic/money reason for it

 

[D.Lo]

Are you asking for INFORMED reporting? What other imaginary constructs would you like to materialize in this world?

:lol

 

[lupinko]

Activision might not be infringing on their patents so who knows.

Activision already pays Konami for the Guitar license, I'm pretty sure they pay for the Drum license as well.

 

[avaya]

In the evil media empire stakes the difference between NewsCorp and Viacom is wafer thin.

 

[Azure Dream]

Yay for patents! Such useful vague declarations. Can't wait for the person who claims that games interpreting button presses at all falls under their patent, presuming it hasn't happened multiple times already.

 

[MassiveAttack]

you don't want to mess with Activisions Lawyers

This is true. ATVI has the best lawyers in the business. And don't forget that ATVI and Viacom are mortal enemies. They are enjoying the hell out of this.

 

[MassiveAttack]

Yay for patents! Such useful vague declarations. Can't wait for the person who claims that games interpreting button presses at all falls under their patent, presuming it hasn't happened multiple times already.

Actually, a lot of people have known this lawsuit was coming... years ago. Konami has excellent grounds for this.

 

[D-X]

Every time I walk into an arcade and see Guitar Freaks I always wonder why Konami never made more of it for the home market.

 

[bryehn]

Actually, a lot of people have known this lawsuit was coming... years ago. Konami has excellent grounds for this.

I can't believe it's actually happening.

 

[Xyphie]

Go US patent laws! The most unproductive system ever invented.

 

[The Faceless Master]

The case is Konami Digital Entertainment Co. v. Harmonix Music Systems Inc., 08cv286, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (Marshall).

:lol :lol :lol

 

[Golden Darkness]

Speaking of musical lawsuits, what ever happened to the Gibson lawsuits against Guitar Hero and Rock Band?

 

[Raistlin]

And Guitar Hero will be next.


I'm fine with them getting some compensation if the patents' are solid. Requesting a court injunction to block sales of them though, that is corporate suicide.

Not that I think a judge would ever grant it ... but if they did, Konami would literally become public enemy #1

TERRIBLE idea.

 

[Kafel]

Looks like Konami knows Rock Revolution is shit.

 

[AstroLad]

Funny thing is they would have never sued if Rock Band wasn't such a great game and a huge hit. So yeah, what does that tell you about their motivations here?

 

[TheChaos]

Every time I walk into an arcade and see Guitar Freaks I always wonder why Konami never made more of it for the home market.

Us longtime Bemani fans still don't get anything Konami does with that franchise in the USA. Seriously, releasing Beatmania home version 9 years after it came out in the arcade (and a half-assed one to boot)? Really, Konami.