January 24, 2011

Gibson Claims Patent Infringement

Gibson Guitar Corp. recently filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee alleging that Seven45 Studios' video game "Power Gig: Rise of the SixString," infringeGibson's concert simulation patentGibson filed its complaint againgibson.jpgst 745 LLC (d/b/a Seven45 Studios) asserting "Power Gig" violates its U.S. Patent Number 5,990,405, titled "System and method for generating and controlling a simulated musical concert experience."  The claims center on "Power Gig" and its related components, which includes a guitar-style controller Gibson is claiming that the game, in conjunction with a gaming console (Sony's Playstation 2 and Microsift's Xbox 360)contains elements that infringed its rights under the '405 patent.  In addition to a claim for direct infringement, Gibson alleges contributory patent infringement and inducement of infringement.  Gibson is seeking a preliminarily and permanently injunction, treble damages and attorneys' fees.