Scratch DJ Sues Activision: Is DJ Hero In Jeopardy?

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Posted by ModernNosferatu on Apr-22-2009 20:09:

Scratch DJ Sues Activision: Is DJ Hero In Jeopardy?

Scratch DJ Sues Activision: Is DJ Hero In Jeopardy?
By Tameka Kee - Tue 14 Apr 2009 03:54 PM PST

A pair of indie gaming companies may have tossed a wrench into Activision’s plans to piggyback on the success of its Guitar Hero franchise with the upcoming DJ Hero game. Genius Products and Numark Industries, the two companies behind the as-yet-released Scratch: The Ultimate DJ game, have filed a lawsuit in California against Activision and developer 7 Studios for “intentional interference with contract, breach of contract, conversion and misappropriation of trade secrets.”

Activision (NSDQ: ATVI) tried to acquire the rights to Scratch; once Genius rejected the offer, Activision went on to acquire 7 Studios. The problem is, the developer was still under contract (complete with a non-disclosure and confidentiality agreement) to make the game for Genius.

Genius is arguing that its proprietary trade secrets were exposed, and that the two companies conspired to keep Scratch from getting to market by withholding “work product,” including code and the signature turntable-style controller. Genius and Numark are seeking “substantial damages.”

Getting sued over patents and intellectual property rights is par for the course with most big gaming companies, but Genius’ suit comes at a crucial time for Activision. The publisher is trying tap into a whole new audience for its money-making Guitar Hero franchise: hip-hop and electronic music lovers, even amid reports that consumers’ overall appetites for music games may have already peaked. The Guitar Hero roster includes four core iterations, plus spin-offs like Guitar Hero: Metallica, Guitar Hero: Aerosmith and hundreds of downloadable tracks. Release.

We’ve embedded the filing after the jump.

04-14-09 Scratch DJ Game Complaint vs Activision Publishing Et Al

http://www.scribd.com/doc/14234613/041409-Scratch-DJ-Game-Complaint-vs-Activision-Publishing-Et-Al

Posted by Matthias on Apr-23-2009 00:36:

Re: Scratch DJ Sues Activision: Is DJ Hero In Jeopardy?

quote:
Originally posted by ModernNosferatu
Is DJ Hero In Jeopardy?

Hopefully

Posted by ModernNosferatu on Apr-23-2009 00:49:

Re: Re: Scratch DJ Sues Activision: Is DJ Hero In Jeopardy?

quote:
Originally posted by Matthias
Hopefully
That wasn't my "title" that I chose, it was the actually title of the article.

Posted by Matthias on Apr-23-2009 21:44:

Re: Re: Re: Scratch DJ Sues Activision: Is DJ Hero In Jeopardy?

quote:
Originally posted by ModernNosferatu
That wasn't my "title" that I chose, it was the actually title of the article.

I know. All I was saying is that hopefully its in jeopardy.

Posted by ModernNosferatu on Apr-23-2009 21:54:

Re: Re: Re: Re: Scratch DJ Sues Activision: Is DJ Hero In Jeopardy?

quote:
Originally posted by Matthias
I know. All I was saying is that hopefully its in jeopardy.

Posted by Lizandrooo on Apr-23-2009 22:08:

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Scratch DJ Sues Activision: Is DJ Hero In Jeopardy?

quote:
Originally posted by ModernNosferatu

Posted by ryan3243 on Apr-27-2009 09:56:

So it looks like scratch dj won the lawsuit and activision has been forced to turn over all code and any property back to scratch. What kinds sucks is scratch dj is going to be nothing but hip-hop. At least dj hero said something about electronic music. I'm on my iPhone, or I would post a link to the article that has the details on what all went down. I wonder what this will do to dj hero. I know a lot of you guys think it's retarded, but I thought it was a neat concept. I do like to take little breaks from the blasting people's heads off, and this looked like it coils be a fun change. Although. I'd rather just buy the real thing and start actually doing it for real. I did read that the scratch dj controller is going to be made by Numark. I looked for pics everywhere, but couldn't find any of the actual controller.

Posted by Matthias on Apr-27-2009 10:11:

quote:
Originally posted by ryan3243
I do like to take little breaks from the blasting people's heads off

What else is there??? jk

Posted by Don Fili on Apr-27-2009 17:22:

quote:
Originally posted by Matthias
What else is there??? jk

+1

Posted by ryan3243 on Apr-28-2009 00:05:

quote:
Originally posted by Matthias
What else is there??? jk

yea...i know. i just get into a sports game mood sometimes. like last weekend i played MLB 2k9 for the entire weekend.

Posted by Don Fili on Apr-28-2009 05:30:

same here..but i usually put in fifa!