Konami's at it again!

[Spooty Biscuit]

videogames.yahoo.com/feature/konami-sues-viacom-over-rock-band/1227108

My comment in the situation?

F*ck Konami.

Discuss.

[xstatic]

OMG

SERIOUSLY

seriously

.....



seriously

[Spooty Biscuit]

So basically, just like with ITG, Konami busts out a lawsuit against a several year old product only when they start development on a new game who's success *might* be threatened by these (most likely better) games.

And you can be sure that since they're going after Rock Band, if they have any success, they'll follow suit on Guitar Hero soon enough, just like how they did with the ITG case (IIRC, they even went after the company that made that terrible MC Groovz game). Then what do we got? Konami's monopoly's not just with dancing games; it's with the entire music game industry.

I really hope this lawsuit doesn't work out for them. Fortunately, unlike in the case of Roxor and ITG, we have a company that will actually be able to fund a lawsuit.

[xstatic]

So if they loose, what does this mean for itg which they already severed the head of?

Probably nothing.

I would wish that if they did loose that roxor could get their rights back.... *le sigh*

[abrannan]

Yep, nothing. But I think it looks pretty good for harmonix, depending on the patents. From where I sit, here in my armchair lawyer seat, this looks to be closer to the Konami/Andamiro lawsuit. The games *are* different, ala PIU, in the number of buttons, the fact that the games aren't standalone (like guitar freaks/drummania/etc), etc. I think sufficient differences can be demonstrated between Rock Band and the Bemani games.


Plus, IIRC, the ITG case was predominantly lost on the Arcade cabinet issues. No such analogue here.

[SSC]

I just don't see what the big issue is. Konami is a large-named gaming business, and they're looking out for the good of their own company. I can see how they'd feel somewhat slighted by their patents (essentially) being walked on. It's not like anyone's going to say "Aw, Konami, they're so dumb for doing this!"

Let me pose this question: If you're running a business, (which let me preface by saying I couldn't because I'm not a heartless bastard,) and you created a next-gen controller that emulated scents, airflow, and dynamic heating extremely realistically. Now imagine if Brand X invents a new controller that makes scents even more fresh, stronger airflow, and even MORE temperant heating. The difference? A slightly different chip that runs the program, and a price tag that's five dollars less. They begin to outsell your product 3 to 1.

Now tell me, what do you do?

[xstatic]

Talk to Doug about the patent wars that constantly go on in the tech world. People patent IDEAS and then when some computer savvy guy discovers how to do it and strikes it in his career he gets sued and his work taken away from him.

Don't think it's that bad? Doug's brother - who is a selfish twat - is considering going to law school so he can capitalize on making as many patents as possible and suing people who infringe on his patents.... this is no joke and I called him a son of a bitch for it.

[abrannan]

Yes, patents are broke, and patent trolls are the worst of the bunch, but that's *far* from what's happening with Konami. They produced an actual game and patented some of the concepts in it. The only point left to possibly argue is the obviousness test (i.e. could any dumb schmuck have come up with the same thing?), and that's such a vague standard that it can't be effectively enforced.

Personally, I'd love to see Viacom present a music box and a player piano as examples of "prior art".