Seen a hot gadget?  Tell Us   
Subscribe to Gearlog Update
Our FREE email newsletter delivered to your inbox.
Email: 
Format: 
Contact Us  
Sites We Like
Categories:  
this%20guitar%20hero%20is%20sad.JPGDude, this is so not metal: Gibson is suing Wal-Mart, Target, Toys "R" Us, Amazon.com, K-Mart, and Gamestop for selling Guitar Hero, the overwhelmingly popular game from Activision.

The reason? Because Gibson claims that the controller used in the game is in violation of one of its patents, according to the Associated Press. The patent in question seems a little iffy: "...simulate participation in a concert by playing a musical instrument and wearing a head-mounted 3-D display that includes stereo speakers," it reads in part.



The company had already sued Activision, and has extended its suit to protect its intellectual property, according to the company: "In Gibson's lawsuit, it states the company 'has been damaged and will continue to be damaged by the aforesaid infringement unless defendants are enjoined, preliminarily and permanently, from selling and offering for sale infringing products ...'" the AP reported.

Naturally, those retailers that have responded have said the suit is without merit. Activision stopped just short of indemnifying them, though, which would have offloaded all legal liability onto Activision's shoulders.

Guitar Hero and blockbuster franchise Call of Duty propelled Activision to massive fourth-quarter revenues.

(Image source).

| Stumble | Digg | del.icio.us | Slashdot
Posted by: cl
March 21, 2008 1:40 PM

Yup... and...
Leo Fender should have sue'd Gibson for many "patent infringments"


Posted by: Kaz
March 22, 2008 12:50 PM

I don't see how this is hurting Gibson in anyway. A lot of people are going out and getting the real deal because they saw the name/design in Guitar Hero. This is just a way for someone somewhere to make money.


* = required
    Remember Me?
  


         
    Ziff Davis Home | Contact Us | Advertise | Link to Us | Reprints | Magazine Subscriptions | Newsletters | RSS Feeds | Tech Shop | Tech Encyclopedia | PC Downloads | Tech Webcasts | Tech Podcasts | Tech Video | Ziff Davis Media International
1UP | AppScout | Cranky Geeks | DigitalLife | DL.TV | ExtremeTech | Filefront | GameVideos | GearLog | GoodCleanTech | My Cheats | PC Magazine | PCMagCasts | Security Watch | Smart Device Central | TechnoRide | What's New Now |
Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
Copyright © 1996-2008 Ziff Davis Publishing Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. DigitalLife is a registered trademark of Ziff Davis Publishing Holdings Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Media Inc. is prohibited.