Guitar Peripheral Battle Heats Up

Sue, sue and sue alike. It seems like only when something becomes wildly popular to entities ever give the faintest crap about who invented what first, and who actually clutches the patent rights to the prized item in their stony, clenching hand.

The Ant Commandos (TAC) have now filed a countersuit to the one initiated by RedOctane, developer of the smash hit Guitar Hero series. RedOctance had decided to pursue legal action against TAC in response to their development and sale of unlicensed (non-RedOctane) guitar peripherals. TAC, hitting back with an antitrust accusation, claims that the game and controller are suspiciously similar to one that they designed for the PSOne all the way back in 1999.

Pointing to both the design and the layout, TAC is asking the courts to forbid further infringement by the Guitar Hero devs and franchise and the prevention of game/controller bundling to allow “fair competition in the market”. Now, The Ant Commandos has phrased some of their complaints in the vein of consumer freedom, protesting the necessity for gamers to buy Guitar Hero and then the RedOctane manufactured peripheral. They, ever mindful of giving gamers choice in their purchasing, would like to see a diversified market of guitar peripherals available for all.

In other words, they want in on the lucrative market that has emerged from this surprisingly successful game. But in our best interests of course. Because I, for one, truly care whether I buy a RedOctane plastic guitar, or a TAC model. The stakes of of my gaming enjoyment hinge solely on my ability to make an informed and unmonopolized decision about my virtual wannabe rockstar self.

Via| 1UP