Activision Fights Back in Guitar Hero Patent Suit

Guitar Hero just made its way into the Guinness Book of World Records: Gamer’s Edition 2008, but Gibson Guitar would seemingly rather see its developer in court. Claiming its innocence and looking for exoneration, Activision is welcoming the showdown in a patent dispute that has gamers tuned in.The drama began when Gibson Guitar filed a patent claim against Activision in January, alleging that its Guitar Hero franchise violates a 1999 patent Gibson had filed for technology to simulate a musical performance.

The suit struck the wrong chord with Activision. The company is now suing Gibson, saying its game doesn’t infringe on the patent. Activision filed suit in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on Tuesday. The video-game maker has asked the court to officially declare that the game does not infringe on Gibson’s patents.

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Add comment March 14th, 2008