Guitar manufacturer Gibson is suing Activision, claiming the Guitar Hero videogames violate a patent for “simulating a musical performance.”
Activision has asked a federal court to rule the claim invalid.
Gibson has a long-standing relationship with the Guitar Hero games, licensing the likeness of their guitars for the game’s controller.
The patent is for “simulating a live performance using a musical instrument, a 3D headset with stereo speakers, and a pre-recorded concert.”
Activision says that by waiting for years to make a claim, Gibson granted an “implied license” for the “technology.”
Seriously, how is this a patent? When did we go from having to actually invent something to get a patent, to this situation where you can patent the act of listening to headphones?
Via Reuters.
