Games over in California and Washington D.C. have sued EA because of "blatantly anticompetitive conduct". EA slashed the price of the game Madden 2005 when competition arose between EA and Take-Two, and EA then made agreements with the NFL, AFL, and NCAA Football, but then they rose the price of Madden '06 by 70 percent.

Gamers in California and Washington, D.C. have sued Electronic Arts Inc. over what they call "blatantly anticompetitive conduct" in its football gaming niche.

The suit against Redwood City-based EA (NASDAQ:ERTS) says after early competition in football games between EA and Take-Two Interactive Inc., EA cut the price of its Madden 2005 game from $49.95 to $29.95.

"Electronic Arts could have continued to compete by offering a lower price and/or a higher quality product," the suit said. "Instead, Electronic Arts quickly entered into a series of exclusive agreements with the only viable sports football associations in the United States: the National Football League, the Arena Football League, and NCAA Football."

The suit says EA raised the price of Madden 2006 by 70 percent.

The plaintiffs have requested a class action and want restitution and damages for buyers of EA football game since August of 2005.

Tyranitar24 via sanjose.bizjournals.com »