So Konami's suing Harmonix over Rock Band...

[Kane Knight]

Claiming it infringes on patents they filed in 2002 and 2003.

I notice Activision isn't named in the lawsuit, so I'm curious as to why they're immune. There's a possibility of an already existing financial arrangement, but I haven't read anything to that effect.

So...Think this'll go anywhere? The patents are vague and nondescript, but they do cover the genre Rock Band falls into.

I suppose nobody told Konami that you couldn't patent such a thing and couldn't sue, eh Darkpower? Stupid Patent Office apparently doesn't know better, either, since they awarded said patents.

[jcmoorehead]

I can't see it getting very far to be honest especially considering it's taken them this long to actually get around to it. I'm not to sure of all the details as I've only read one article on this but it just seems like Konami are just trying to get a quick bit of cash from it.

On a side note, aren't Gibson currently suring Activision and Harmonix about something similar?

[Kalyx triaD]

Could Rock Revolution's lack-luster impressions have something to do with this?

[Lara Emily]

Apparantly Activision already pays a fee to Konami to use the tech.

[Kane Knight]

I can't see it getting very far to be honest especially considering it's taken them this long to actually get around to it.


I'm missing something here. When did legal viability correlate to timeframe?

[jcmoorehead]

I'm missing something here. When did legal viability correlate to timeframe?

It doesn't? I wouldn't know this isn't really an area I know much about I'm just commenting on what I see. You can easily correct me if I'm wrong (Which I'll be honest I probably am) but I thought that because it's taken them over a year to actually go ahead with this then that might have some bearing on their claim.

Then again I can see why what I've said is stupid because from what I can see the claim is valid so it shouldn't really have any bearing at all.

I do believe though that Konami are just trying to gain a bit of publicity for "Rock Revolution" coming out soon. I just think that if Konami were really that bothered they would have filed this before Rock Band came out as opposed to now when it's been out some time and generated a lot of publicity.

[Kane Knight]

Actually, that it's taken over a year may simply mean they've been in, you know, legal communication prior and were unable to reach an amicable agreement.

However, I've seen patent lawsuits over five years past the initial date of infringement. Time rarely has an impact on things, and it's frequently in the patent holder's best interest to wait.

I'm sure they're just out for money or publicity or whatever, but this is fairly standard business fare.