It seems that Gibson might be trying to stop Guitar Hero like games. Activision filed a lawsuit asking the US District Court for Central California to invalidate a 1999 Gibson patent on "simulating a musical performance". I don't think this applies to Frets on Fire, but just in case, does anyone think this could affect us?
Claim: Gibson is trying to get Activision to stop selling "Guitar Hero" until it gets a license under the patent, according to the complaint. But Activision says it doesn't want or need a license under the patent. Disclaimer: Gibson's system is designed to be used with a "musical instrument" -- and no matter what the Guitar Zeros have to say, it seems unlikey that Guitar Hero controllers, or a computer keyboard, really qualifies. URLs: http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/12/gibson-says-guitar-hero-violates-patents-activision-says-nuh-uh/ http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/03/13/business/NA-FIN-TEC-US-Guitar-Hero-Dispute.php http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/03/13/gibson-claims-guitar-hero-idea-sues-activision/ http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5990405.html Abstract of the patent: A musician can simulate participation in a concert by playing a musical instrument and wearing a head-mounted 3D display that includes stereo speakers. Audio and video portions of a musical concert are pre-recorded, along with a separate sound track corresponding to the musical instrument played by the musician. Playback of the instrument sound track is controlled by signals generated in the musical instrument and transmitted to a system interface box connected to the audio-video play back device, an audio mixer, and the head-mounted display. An external bypass switch allows the musician to suppress the instrument sound track so that the sounds created by actual playing of the musical instrument are heard along with the pre-recorded audio and video portions. Greetings, Miry -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
