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  • Rock Band Developer: Harmonix Music Systems Publisher: MTV Games Genre: Misc Sub-Genre: Music / Dancing Release Date: Nov 20th, 2007 Additonal Info: None
  • Guitar Hero III Developer: Activision Publisher: Neversoft Genre: Misc Sub-Genre: Music / Dancing Release Date: Oct 28th, 2007 Additonal Info:
  • Guitar Hero II Developer: Harmonix Music Publisher: RedOctane Genre: Misc Sub-Genre: Music / Dancing Release Date: Nov 7th, 2006 Additonal Info:
Developer: Harmonix Music Systems Publisher: MTV Games Release Date: Nov 20th 2007 Genre: Misc Sub Genre: Music / Dancing
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Gibson Guitar sues over Guitar Hero and Rock Band

Posted on March 22nd, 2008 at 17:09 EDT

In a surprising move, Gibson Guitar has sued MTV Networks (parent company of Harmonix) and EA over the Guitar Hero and Rock Band titles. Gibson is claiming that both series infringe on one of its many patents and that the company was forced to sue when the companies showed their lack of intent to enter into negotiations for a patent license agreement.

Harmonix believes the entire situation is ridiculous. Their official statement is as follows:

"This lawsuit is completely without merit and we intend to defend it vigorously. Gibson's patent, filed nearly 10 years ago, required a 3D display, a real musical instrument and a recording of a concert. Rock Band and Guitar Hero are completely different: among other things they are games, require no headset and use a controller only shaped like a real instrument. It is unfortunate that Gibson unfairly desires to share in the tremendous success enjoyed by the developers of Rock Band and Guitar Hero."

Put in that context, we can't imagine how Gibson believes that the patent is applicable to Harmonix's music titles. Regardless, we'll keep you updated on the situation.

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What are your thoughts?
posted 5:14pm EDT - March 22nd, 2008
1

I ownder if Gibson would bother if that series wasn't so popular...

posted 5:14pm EDT - March 22nd, 2008
2

Such a pathetic attempt at others well earned money.

posted 5:15pm EDT - March 22nd, 2008
3

lol .....

posted 5:18pm EDT - March 22nd, 2008
4
To sue someone these days is pathetic maybe if your blooudy guitars weren't expensive then you'll get more money
posted 5:28pm EDT - March 22nd, 2008
5
lol.... gibson is jealous....
posted 5:52pm EDT - March 22nd, 2008
6

good

posted 5:53pm EDT - March 22nd, 2008
7

wao, they sure are desperate for mo' money, lol

posted 7:07pm EDT - March 22nd, 2008
8

i thought you had to get a license agreement anyway when it came to using something of someone else's?  i mean,  the guitars in both are modeled after real instruments with the actual names on the headstocks.  wouldn't  you have to work with the manufacturer to use that design?  they use the real names of the companies so wouldn't they have to give money to the companies anyway?

posted 7:14pm EDT - March 22nd, 2008
9

I hate Les Pauls anyway, Fender Strats ftw.

posted 7:20pm EDT - March 22nd, 2008
10

But... they used Gibson guitars in GH 2 !?

Aren't they going to make some sort of agreement there? And then they just sue each other!?!?!? Man... just as crazy as Metallica...

posted 8:16pm EDT - March 22nd, 2008
11

psn id: gingo.... this really does just sound like an attempt by Gibson to get in on the money spinners that are GH and rock band, its actually quite shameful

posted 8:36pm EDT - March 22nd, 2008
12

Are guitar sales really that bad right now that they have to do this.  There is no reason for this other then lack of excitement in the art of guitar making.

posted 9:17pm EDT - March 22nd, 2008
13

It's free advertising for gibson so thaey shouldn't complain :)

posted 11:57pm EDT - March 22nd, 2008
14
lol gibson is gona lose the cas the lawsuit is crazy jelousy gets the best of em
posted 12:05am EDT - March 23rd, 2008
15

Didn't gibson license their guitar designs for Guitar hero?

 

10 years ago they created an idea that on paper sounds similar to GH and RB but apparently dont even factor in a game console. Harmonix's games owe more to other types of music games than an interactive concept that gibson would never actually put into production... as a matter of fact when did Guitar Freaks come out in the arcade because if anything I'd expect Konami to sue them first!

posted 12:24am EDT - March 23rd, 2008
16

gibson is jealous of the most overrated stupid game of our generation

posted 12:55am EDT - March 23rd, 2008
17

Ahh, what it means to do business in America...

posted 1:44am EDT - March 23rd, 2008
18
Gibson would not go out on the attack if they dident think they had somthing or at least a chance. Now I know there just after the $$ but still if they take it to the courts then all bets are off, anyone can come out on top when millions are up for grabs.
posted 3:17am EDT - March 23rd, 2008
19

Im no expert in guitars, but doesnt ROCKBAND use a fender guitar. Not a Gibson. So why does this lawsuit affect Harmonix?

posted 3:30am EDT - March 23rd, 2008
20

@Lp47PS3

Because it's not the guitar Gibson is sueing over, it's the entire concept of Guitar Hero and Rock Band in general.

posted 3:34am EDT - March 23rd, 2008
21

Actually - the Gibson guitar is an icon and these guys chose to copy the design because of that fact. It has a highly recognisable shape and they are leveaging it to make their products more attractive. So they should pay for it.

posted 6:18am EDT - March 23rd, 2008
22
Phuk gibson
posted 7:24am EDT - March 23rd, 2008
23

I'd rather play a real guitar than play thesegames anyway.

 

posted 11:35am EDT - March 23rd, 2008
24

It's an indicator of how large and successful the videogame industry has become, that everyone and his dog wants to get a share of it... even if only by landing someone with a totally laughable and unfounded lawsuit.

posted 3:40pm EDT - March 23rd, 2008
25

Gibson, go f*** ur mom...

posted 12:10am EDT - March 24th, 2008
26

Here's an idea.  Leave Harmonix alone because it's free advertising.  Or Harmonix should just recall all Gibsons and replace them with something else.  F*** em.  If they can't get over themselves for some plastic, silicon, and free advertising, tell them to blow it out their ***.

posted 10:44am EDT - March 24th, 2008
27

The man build, the parasit reclaim his part.

(I played the translated version of Bioshock so i don't know if the sentence in the game is exactly)

posted 7:38am EDT - March 25th, 2008
28

@InfernoReaper - Free Advertising? WTF? Gibson didnt want or ask for free advertising. What your suggesting is like me advertising your a.ss on a toilet wall.

 

Gibson is "Gibson" - they have been successfull for 50 years so who the F.uk is Harmonix...a one hit wonder. Its a fun game idea once, twice, maybe 3rd remake...but a few years of remakes & clones from now.....yawns.... I'll bet my guitar that Gibson is around a lot longer than Harmonix is. NEXT!

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