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Gibson: 'Guitar Hero' maker violating patent

updated 04:45 pm EDT, Wed March 12, 2008

Gibson vs. Guitar Hero

Activision's popular Guitar Hero rhythm games are breaking the law, charges legendary guitar maker Gibson. The company has publicly accused Activision of infringing on a patent from 1999, which involves technology simulating a musical performance; in Guitar Hero, one or two players strum along on a simplified guitar, in time to on-screen notes. Reuters notes that Activision denies any wrongdoing, and is in fact asking the US District Court for Central California to render Gibson's patent invalid.

The conflict represents an unusual turn for Gibson, as it previously appeared to have a friendly relationship with Activision; its products can be found in the series, and the Wii, Xbox and PlayStation controllers for Guitar Hero III are all modeled after one of Gibson's signature instruments, the Les Paul.

 
Previous Comments

Why I want a Fender!

03/12, 04:56pm reply

All the more reason for a Fender Strat or Jazz Bass controller!

Guest

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Nov 1999

0

i think

03/12, 05:55pm reply

playing air guitar on a toy far precedes the filing of Gibon's patent...

legacyb4

Mac Elite

Joined: May 2001

0

It's just a video game

04/16, 03:41pm reply

just because the controller looks a little like a guitar, it's just a musical version of whack-a-mole.

IronHorseTamer

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Apr 2008

0

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