Gibson Sues Guitar Hero
The guitar manufacturer Gibson Guitar Corp. has sued various video game retailers, Harmonix, Viacom and EA Games over the alleged patent infringement of the guitar-shaped controllers in the Guitar Hero and Rock Band video games. Both games use a guitar-shaped video game controller, which allows the player to push buttons on the fret board that correspond to gameplay on the screen. In 1999 Gibson patented a similar technology "for electronically simulating participation by a user in a pre-recorded musical performance". Activision had filed a preemptive counter-claim, asking the judge the throw out the case and dismiss the charges.
Fast Facts
- Guitar Hero and Rock Band use guitar-shaped controllers
- Gibson patented a similar technology in 1999
- Gibson waited 3 years to raise the claim
- Activision filed a preemptive lawsuit
- Retailers sued: Walmart, GameStop, Target, Toys 'R' Us, Amazon, Kmart
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