Konami legal action against Viacom for RockBand*

Yeah, that's pretty petty for sure.

(I feel there's a word missing in your thread title Robert)
 
Well it is ironic considering Harmonix worked with Konami on the Karaoke Revolution titles (the vocal portion of Rock Band is basically straight from Karaoke Revolution), and of course Konami has been developing musical instrument games as far back as the late 90's. I'm actually surprised they didn't patent that stuff 'till 2002-2003 (unless that's just the grant date and not the file date).
 
the first thing I thought of was:

"if you cant beat your competition by innovation and keeping the race rolling, beat them by preventing them to go any further"

rediculous kind of lawsuit, which unfortunatelly isn't very scarce in technology
 
How do these ridiculously woolly patents ever get granted in the first place?

I'm almost supprised someone hasn't tried to patent a "platform level type game" or a "motorised vehicle simulation" or maybe even "computer software for the porpose of the users entertainment".
 
This is pretty low. I would understand if Konami made the first "rockstar"-type game, and EA basically go copy it. but Guitar Hero was the first guitar game i think or atleast the first really successfull ones, and its rather obvious that both EA and Konami are now trying to cash in on the success and market that Guitar Hero made.


They have some old patents, on an idea thats not exactly hard to come up with that they never moved on before now.nor very originial, there are many rythm games following the same premises)

Im sure EA and the makers of Guitar Hero made their own guitars and what not, not basing them on Konami patents, this will most likely be settled but i hope EA just gives Konami the finger on this one.
 
That GuitarFreaks info changes things somewhat. Konami clearly were first to market with Guitar simulation gameplay, using a proprietary controller design. World patents on that would be valid, and all similar games woudl clearly be stepping on the boundaries of such patents.

At this point there's nothing to be discussed. This is another one for the lawyers to sort out, on whether the patents granted are valid and applicable. Debate on how busted the patent system is old and not worth revisiting. And on that note I'm changing the title as claiming Konami are unfairly looking for money with the implication MGS4 is their key owner and has now run its course is libellous ;)
 
Simon F said:
They say "issued" in 2002. Anyone know if that means "filed" or "granted"? If the former, then surely Sega's "Space Channel 5" (circa 2000) pre-dates that?
Click to expand...

I'm fairly certain "issue" = "granted". One files a patent application to undergo the review process leading up to issuance.
 
Is this in essence a Patent that covers holding down one or more buttons at the same time as pressing another button?

Sorry, but the patent system should be removed, it´s holding back innovation instead of moving it forward.
 
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