http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/ Engadget Comments for Gibson still thinks a video game is a musical instrument, sues Harmonix for Rock Band http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/Mar 21st 2008 5:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/Mar 21st 2008 5:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/Mar 22nd 2008 12:10AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/Mar 21st 2008 5:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/Mar 21st 2008 6:01PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/
Is there a reward? I'll turn in my neighbor Eddie 'air guitar' VanWailin' for $100]]>Mar 21st 2008 10:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/Mar 21st 2008 6:01PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/
1. I've lost all respect for Gibson as a corporation and fine maker of musical instruments

2. Nilay, I love your disclaimers]]>Mar 21st 2008 6:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/Mar 21st 2008 6:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/Mar 21st 2008 6:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/Mar 21st 2008 6:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/Mar 21st 2008 7:02PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/
That doesn't freakin' matter. Learn how patents work, Engadget writers.

The BROADEST claim is [the most] important. Additional limitations (e.g., those of claim 12) don't have to be used for a product/method/etc. to be infringing. If Activision et al. are infringing on *any* of the claims, then they're infringing on the patent. There's no requirement that they infringe on *every* claim, as you appear to be arguing.

I had hoped you would realize your mistake and simply correct it, but obviously any training you might have had in IP law has long since departed, leaving only moronic arrogance in its wake. Geez, this isn't even Patents 101. It's like junior-high-remedial-IP.]]>Mar 21st 2008 9:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/Mar 21st 2008 9:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/
Ah. So you did realize it, but chose to be purposefully misleading. I get it. Very lawyer like. ;)

I do want to apologize for my language earlier. If I could rewrite those comments in a more civilized tone, I would.]]>Mar 21st 2008 10:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/If you are so offended by this site/these posts then go away, NO ONE will miss you.

2nd It seems wrong that someone can patient something, sit on it while others actually create something, and then be sued by the patent holder who has done nothing with it.

Gibson has tarnished their name in my eye, and that's saying a lot since they throw the best CES parties! (Free drinks and food while seeing Les Paul play live 10 feet from me!)

PS Just bought Rock Band @ Wal-Mart for $149 on sale; can't wait to play it!]]>Mar 22nd 2008 8:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/
sure, i've went into gamestop a couple of times.... lokked at the poster... walked out with nothing. do they keep them behind the counter or something? come on!]]>Mar 21st 2008 6:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/Mar 21st 2008 7:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/Mar 21st 2008 10:02PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/Mar 22nd 2008 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/Mar 22nd 2008 8:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/
Lawsuit Hero: Part III]]>Mar 21st 2008 6:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/Mar 21st 2008 6:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/Mar 21st 2008 7:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/
If they just light up the key on the screen, they're definitively not musical instruments. If they produce a musical sound when the button is pressed on the guitar, then that might be slightly trickier case.]]>Mar 21st 2008 6:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/Mar 21st 2008 6:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/Mar 21st 2008 7:00PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/Mar 21st 2008 7:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/Mar 21st 2008 9:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/
I am NOT a lawyer, and I only skimmed through. If I am wrong, please flame promptly!]]>Mar 21st 2008 6:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/Mar 21st 2008 6:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/
Why would anybody sue over a patent infringement in their target didn't make money?]]>Mar 25th 2008 1:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/I dunno... the RIAA seems pretty happy suing penniless kids and old women...]]>Apr 22nd 2008 7:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/Mar 21st 2008 6:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/Mar 21st 2008 6:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/Mar 21st 2008 7:01PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/Mar 21st 2008 7:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/
Gibson = Litigious cocks!]]>Mar 21st 2008 6:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/
Is it possible, just maybe, that Gibsons lawyers filed the patents, wording them just right, then gave the rights to the game companies, let them get millions of dollars, just to turn around and sue them to get some real serious money into their bank accounts? Could it be some legal chess match that was looked into far before the game was made? Could I be on paoti?

Either way. What a mess. I definately wouldnt want to be the head of a major corporation these days... the stress just cant be worth the paycheck.]]>Mar 21st 2008 7:00PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/On a related note, I'd gladly take the stress of a CEO (what is that exactly if CEOs can destroy companies with what seems like complete and total ignorance and still get a huge payout once they're severed) if it meant getting paid millions and millions of dollars. ]]>Mar 21st 2008 7:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/Mar 21st 2008 7:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/Mar 21st 2008 7:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/Mar 21st 2008 7:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/
It was nice knowing the Gibson Guitar Company. RIP after the many many many law suits to you!

http://www.mmab0nes.com
http://www.b0nehome.com]]>Mar 21st 2008 8:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/Mar 21st 2008 8:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/Mar 22nd 2008 2:16AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/Mar 21st 2008 8:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/
No - its not the same thing, unless claim 12 is the only claim asserted. Since the products obviously do not have stereoscopic headsets I'm pretty confident that claim 12 is not asserted. But my guess is the independent system claims are good candidates to look at.

Nilay - stay away from snide legalish comments about patents, its not flattering to you.

I like claim 21 best - no headset, clearly says simulation of a concert (you know, like having people on stage with you playing instruments and fans, like in GH?). Its not perfect - by a long shot - but the problems it has are not the slings and arrows I've seen thrown at it so far.]]>Mar 21st 2008 9:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/Mar 21st 2008 9:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/gibson-still-thinks-a-video-game-is-a-musical-instrument-sues/
Not any more. I won't reward this type of behavior.
]]>Mar 21st 2008 9:22PM