The Energon Pub

[Shadowman]

Gibson sues Harmonix, Viacom, EA over Guitar Hero

Following Activision's filing of a pre-emptive lawsuit last week – asking a judge to dismiss guitar-maker Gibson's Guitar Hero patent claim and later saying it had "no merit" – and then Gibson's lawsuit against major retailers selling the game, Gibson has now filed a patent infringement lawsuit against ... well, not Activision. No, Gibson has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against former Guitar Hero developer Harmonix; Harmonix's parent company's parent company, Viacom; and Rock Band publisher and all around Guitar Hero-less innocent bystander Electronic Arts.

Gibson is claiming the aforementioned companies violate their 1999 patent covering "a system for electronically simulating participation by a user in a pre-recorded musical performance." For their money – even though they're not the ones being sued – Activision claims that "by waiting three years to raise its claim, Gibson had granted an implied license for any technology." Regardless of the outcome or the number of Gibson-branded plastic guitars out there, we suspect it won't be getting a fruit basket from the video game industry this holiday.

[Sherade]

Honestly, I'm glad.
Guitar hero has mocked the guitarist hobby.
Except for a few, who it inspires, here's the situation.
People are all giddy "I beat a song on expert!"
I hand them my Stratocaster.
"Play it then."
You know what, most of them can't. I have one friend I've asked who could, not wonderfully, but he did. (Bulls on Parade)
I mean, some are real guitarists who know what they're doing, or play the game and become such in time, but not many I know of.
Unless proven otherwise, I'm sticking to it.
The above reason is also why I don't play, coupled with horrible coordination. I know I'm better with the rela thing.

Anyhoo, on the matter at hand, oh well.
Although EA seems to be somewhat a waste, I'm sure whatever happens, it'll end up some kind of compromise anyway.

[Shadowman]

Honestly, I'm glad.
Guitar hero has mocked the guitarist hobby.
Except for a few, who it inspires, here's the situation.
People are all giddy "I beat a song on expert!"
I hand them my Stratocaster.
"Play it then."
You know what, most of them can't. I have one friend I've asked who could, not wonderfully, but he did. (Bulls on Parade)
I mean, some are real guitarists who know what they're doing, or play the game and become such in time, but not many I know of.
Unless proven otherwise, I'm sticking to it.
The above reason is also why I don't play, coupled with horrible coordination. I know I'm better with the rela thing.

Anyhoo, on the matter at hand, oh well.
Although EA seems to be somewhat a waste, I'm sure whatever happens, it'll end up some kind of compromise anyway.

Real guitar takes months of practice to be able to play good. Guitar Hero takes maybe thirty minutes. We know it's not real. You don't have to lord it over us, because it only shows that you understand any of it.

[Sherade]

We know it's not real.

I'm not exactly sure how you define "we".....
It may just be people around me, but I have yet to find much larger of a base of which to prove otherwise, which is why I said until proven otherwise.

because it only shows that you don't understand any of it.

Um, I'm gonna guess this is what you meant.
Besides, I'm not big on video games anyway, so sue me if I don't understand. (But trust me, you wouldn't get much....)
My opinion is mine for a reason.
But, to reiterate, I'll be happy to adjust it if proven otherwise.