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Konami sues Harmonix over Rock Band

July 10, 2008 in News comments 15

Is anyone really surprised? Still, it's hilarious. No idea how it'll affect Rock Band 2 but it's not looking pretty.

Well, from Harmonix's point of view anyway.

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.

...

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.
Reenee via bloomberg.com »
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  • 0
    MusiKon Jul 11, 08
    I think this might be due to the fact that MTV bought the American rights to Guitar Freaks a long while back. And I don't believe they ever did anything with them.
    • -1
      Reenee Jul 11, 08
      No company has EVER laid hands on any Bemani. Only Harmonix developed Karaoke Revolution with Konami publishing it.
      • 0
        MusiKon Jul 11, 08
        Hmm, that could be it. They want the Karaoke Revolution mechanics (which are obviously updated and used in Rock Band) in Rock Revolution.
  • 0
    SUPREM_KITE Jul 11, 08
    OMFG get over it just because you were stupid and only released your crap in japan doesn't mean you should sue everyone else that had the good idea to release better stuff around the world seriously the game company's need to work on making money from games instead of staying in business from the money the make from lawsuits it is pitiful these days/
    • 2
      Reenee Jul 11, 08
      quote
      only released your crap in japan
      DDR was the catalyst for the rise of rhythm-based games here in the U.S.

      quote
      doesn't mean you should sue everyone else that had the good idea to release better stuff around the world
      Because adding two frets and making it harder to read the notechart is considered "good". Not to mention dumbing it down so that all you can do is just play the song and that's it. Not going anywhere beyond that, nosiree.

      quote
      seriously the game company's need to work on making money from games
      We're aware that GH is being milked out at this point, right?
  • 0
    TurMoiL911 Jul 11, 08
    It seems to the trend these days that when something innovative is released and is a big hit, some random copyright or patent with pop out of nowhere and sue the hell out of it.

    I bet you this kind of thing wouldn't have happened if Rock Band sucked.
  • 0
    Alieninvasion11 Jul 11, 08
    This is horrible
    Their Just upset that Rock Band sold more copies than their Karaoke Revolution EVER WILL!
    • 0
      Reenee Jul 11, 08
      1. Yeah, REAL fair comparison there.
      2. Has nothing to do with KR. Konami is now late to the drum and guitar party and has to half-ass it with someone else.
  • 0
    Mr Gray Jul 11, 08
    You do not win a battle with Viacom.
    • -1
      Reenee Jul 11, 08
      I'd say with consideration of both companies' reputations, they're on equal footing because of their actions, yes?
      • 2
        Mr Gray Jul 11, 08
        Um, no. Viacom is a corporate giant. I mean literal giant. One of the top dogs over American economy. They hold weight few others do, and no little software publisher/developer is going going to put the hurt on them. They'll be made an example of for trying.
  • 0
    Big Willie Jul 11, 08
    I really don't see this law suit holding much credit. They had ample time to hault the production of Rock Band but did not. And unless Harmonix literally swiped their hardware specs and software for their patent I don't see where any Judge is going to rule in favor of such a generic universal idea as rhtym-based music game. If they did that, they'd have to get reparations from every other company that has developed something similiar to it.
    • 0
      Mr Gray Jul 11, 08
      And make a lot of industry enemies in the process. They won't do that. Konami, like all these weak-sauce developers gone mad, are looking for an out-of-court settlement.
  • 0
    mvern78 Jul 11, 08
    Considering that Gibson Guitars already filed a similar suit for patents registered in 1999, Konami might have to watch out for a similar filing sent their way.

    Source: NYTimes March 08 - http:// tinyurl .com/37mg6p
  • 0
    Remino52 Jul 12, 08
    Rock Band is still better. The only thing standing in Rock Band 2's way is Guitar Hero: World Tour.

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