Konami sues Harmonix because Rock Band is fun

Recommended Videos

Yesterday, Konami issued some papers and officially sued Harmonix for patent violations. The claim is that Rock Band’s instruments and visual feedback interface hit a little too close to patents created by Konami back in 2002 and 2003. Unfortunately for Konami, suing won’t make the images of Drummania go away.

According to Bloomberg:

Konami is demanding cash compensation, plus an order that would block Viacom and Harmonix from using the inventions, according to the complaint, filed yesterday in federal court in Marshall, Texas. The suit names Harmonix Music Systems, Viacom, and Viacom’s MTV Networks Co., which owns Harmonix.

This shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. Konami has always had a stick up their collective bums about the success of both Guitar Hero and Rock Band. Konami can probably be considered the grandfather of the music genre with games like Dance Dance Revolution, Beatmania, and Guitar Freaks, but it’s their own shocking inability to adequtely localize these games that may have led it all to this point. When asked for comment, Viacom didn’t even know they were being sued. Apparently Konami’s legal department is as slow to the punch as their own recognition that another guitar game has been pumping out sequels the last three years.

[Thanks, Professor Pew!]


Destructoid is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more
related content
Read Article Helldivers 2 players receive Quasar Cannon and Heavy Machine Gun Stratagems to support Automaton obliteration
helldivers 2 heavy machine gun HMG quasar cannon stratagems unlocked
Read Article The Witcher 4 development is forging ahead at CD Projekt Red
The Witcher 4 update
Read Article Bungie reveals Into the Light weapons are time-gated and Destiny 2 players aren’t happy
Related Content
Read Article Helldivers 2 players receive Quasar Cannon and Heavy Machine Gun Stratagems to support Automaton obliteration
helldivers 2 heavy machine gun HMG quasar cannon stratagems unlocked
Read Article The Witcher 4 development is forging ahead at CD Projekt Red
The Witcher 4 update
Read Article Bungie reveals Into the Light weapons are time-gated and Destiny 2 players aren’t happy