May 2005
Roxor and Konami Entangled in Dispute Over a Dance Game
Konami, a Japanese games publisher, who was also at the forefront of the best dancing games, first popularised in the arcades and now by the Playstation, want a Texan court to grant an injunction and damages against Roxor Games Inc. for infringing various intellectual property rights.
The basis of the lawsuit is said to be that Roxor's 'In The Groove' dance game can be retrofitted into Konami's Dance Dance Revolution arcade game. Other issues surround intellectual property rights, which Konami is claiming have been infringed, by for example, the placing of Roxor's logos over Konami's in the modified arcade machine. Konami has taken legal action in the past and will not be prepared to let this one go without a battle.
BRIFFA Comment:
Similar to a movie, a game involves an awful lot of intellectual property rights, all of which will require protection in some form or other against possible infringers. From the moment a developer comes up with a concept, right through the developmental process to the launch of the finished product and beyond, valuable rights are being created. The ownership of rights in the product generally and in the software code, the look and feel, design, concept, characters, music and so on must be clearly defined. Being able to identify these rights as well as protect and police them effectively in a highly competitive market which is moving and growing at an accelerated pace is a challenge, but it can be done.