Konami Charges Harmonix, Viacom, MTV For Rock Band Patent Infringement

Konami, arcade video game developer, filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Harmonix, MTV Networks, and Viacom, alleging that Rock Band violates three of the company’s patents on instrument-based video games.

Unlike Gibson lawsuit against the same concerns for “simulating a musical performance,” Konami’s patents are for several guitar and drums-based music video games that the company released in Japan before Guitar Hero and Rock Band launched. The patents explicitly showcase games like Guitar Freaks, Drummania, and Pop’n Music.

What’s interesting is that Activision cites the three Konami music video game patents, 6,390,923, 6,425,822, and 6,645,067, on their Guitar Hero III website, which most people would assume means that the concern licensed the patents from Konami. However, that may not be the case, or just part of the story. One thing is for sure, more lawyers are going to get rich.

Author: FutureMusic

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