Konami sues Harmonix over Rock Band

[Queasy]

Link

July 10 (Bloomberg) -- Konami Corp., the Japanese creator of the ``Dance Dance Revolution'' music video game, sued Viacom Inc.'s Harmonix studio, claiming its ``Rock Band'' game violates patents.

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.

``Rock Band,'' the game in which players emulate rock and rollers with toy instruments, drove a 16 percent increase in first-quarter revenue at New York-based Viacom's media networks business. Konami's Digital Entertainment unit said in May it plans to begin selling its own rock band game, called ``Rock Revolution,'' later this year.

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.

Viacom spokeswoman Kelly McAndrew said the company hasn't received the complaint, so had no immediate comment.

Konami American depositary receipts, each representing one ordinary share, fell $1.67, or 5.2 percent, to $30.15 at 4:02 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. They have risen 26 percent in the past year. Viacom's Class B shares rose 22 cents to $28.12 and have dropped 32 percent in the past year.

The case is Konami Digital Entertainment Co. v. Harmonix Music Systems Inc., 08cv286, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (Marshall).

"Hey, our drum, guitar, and singing games flopped! Let's sue someone that actually took the time and effort to be successful with the concept!"

 

[Modeps]

At least now we know how they think Rock Revolution will succeed.

 

[bearxor]

Wait, wasn't Karaoke Revolution developed by Harmonix for Konami to begin with?

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: bearxor
Wait, wasn't Karaoke Revolution developed by Harmonix for Konami to begin with?

Publishers often retain ownership of the IP.

 

[randay]

harmonix needs to stop getting screwed over. time to hire some o them cutthroat arsehole lawyers i keep hearing about.

 

[Modeps]

Originally posted by: randay
harmonix needs to stop getting screwed over. time to hire some o them cutthroat arsehole lawyers i keep hearing about.

Harmonix has plenty of lawyers now, they're owned by Viacom.

 

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: Queasy
"Hey, our drum, guitar, and singing games flopped! Let's sue someone that actually took the time and effort to be successful with the concept!"

Konami made Guitar Freaks, Drum Mania, etc and most of them aren't even released in the US... they also aren't flops. Konami also let you hook up some of their machines together so you could get a multiple instrument experience as well.

I wondered when there'd be trouble from Konami over these musical games.

 

[warcrow]

Oh man, Rock Rev. is in so much trouble. With Rock Band already being successful and well esablished, Guitar Hero IV squeezing in there with more plastic drums and guitars, and the fact that that RR consists of cover songs--counts me out. There is no way in hell I'm even slightly interested in this and I cannot imagine anyone else is either.

Is anyone here even slightly interested in RR?

 

[PeanutButter]

Originally posted by: warcrow
Oh man, Rock Rev. is in so much trouble. With Rock Band already being successful and well esablished, Guitar Hero IV squeezing in there with more plastic drums and guitars, and the fact that that RR consists of cover songs--count me out. There is no way in hell I'm even slightly interested in this and I cannot imagine anyone else is either.

Is anyone here even slightly interested in RR?

I didn't even know it existed/going to exist.

 

[RandomFool]

RR got a mighty "Why?" from me when I heard about it. I haven't heard a single thing that sets it apart from either RB or GH. I'd buy the Disney band game before RR, at least kids might get a kick out of it.

 

[RedRooster]

Originally posted by: warcrow
Oh man, Rock Rev. is in so much trouble. With Rock Band already being successful and well esablished, Guitar Hero IV squeezing in there with more plastic drums and guitars, and the fact that that RR consists of cover songs--counts me out. There is no way in hell I'm even slightly interested in this and I cannot imagine anyone else is either.

Is anyone here even slightly interested in RR?

All covers?? Welp, strike that one off the list. :thumbsdown:

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: RedRooster

Originally posted by: warcrow
Oh man, Rock Rev. is in so much trouble. With Rock Band already being successful and well esablished, Guitar Hero IV squeezing in there with more plastic drums and guitars, and the fact that that RR consists of cover songs--counts me out. There is no way in hell I'm even slightly interested in this and I cannot imagine anyone else is either.

Is anyone here even slightly interested in RR?

All covers?? Welp, strike that one off the list. :thumbsdown:

What is bizarre about RR is that it reportedly doesn't even have the karaoke part? This from Konami who makes Karaoke Revolution?