Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Beyonce tries to escape Gate Five lawsuit again, fails again]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/14/beyonce-tries-to-escape-gate-five-lawsuit-again-fails-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/14/beyonce-tries-to-escape-gate-five-lawsuit-again-fails-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/14/beyonce-tries-to-escape-gate-five-lawsuit-again-fails-again/#comments Beyonce tries to escape Gate Five lawsuit again, fails againSinger Beyonce has failed, once again, to get herself extricated from the impending lawsuit against her by developer Gate Five Studios. Gate Five claims Beyonce agreed to help make a video game called Superstar: Beyonce late last year, but then backed out of the deal, causing severe financial damage to the studio. Beyonce's lawyers attempted to get a summary judgment in April, claiming Gate Five hadn't pulled in the financing needed to make the game, but that attempt was denied.

Now the appeal of that judgment has failed. This doesn't mean Beyonce's lost the case, but it does mean that it'll likely go to trial, where a jury will have to determine if Beyonce was within her contract to leave the project, or if she somehow broke the agreement. The main issue seems to be that Beyonce required a certain amount of financing to stay on board, which she says the studio didn't get. Gate Five has suggested that there was an agreement to get the money Beyonce's contract required very soon, and that she knew that deal was all set to take place.

Beyonce, we're really happy for you, and we're going to let this finish and all, but Axel Rose had one of the best video game lawsuits of all time. One of the best video game lawsuits of all time!

JoystiqBeyonce tries to escape Gate Five lawsuit again, fails again originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Nov 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appealbeyoncedecisiongate-five-studiosjudgejurykinectlawsuitmicrosoftplaystationps3xboxWed, 14 Nov 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Silicon Knights plans to appeal in Epic case]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/silicon-knights-plans-to-appeal-in-epic-case/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/silicon-knights-plans-to-appeal-in-epic-case/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/silicon-knights-plans-to-appeal-in-epic-case/#comments X-Men Destiny and Too Human developer Silicon Knights plans to appeal a recent court loss to Epic Games, studio head Denis Dyack told Joystiq. After losing a five-year-long lawsuit this week to Epic Games, Silicon Knights was ordered to fork over $4.45 million in damages to Epic. Dyack said he was "disappointed by the outcome," and that his company would appeal the ruling.

Silicon Knights sued Epic Games in 2007 due to a dispute over Silicon Knights' licensing of Epic's Unreal Engine 3. SK claimed that Epic intentionally withheld pieces of the engine - an engine that was originally licensed to help build Too Human - which resulted in repeated delays of that project. A jury in the US District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina disagreed with Silicon Knights' assertion, and found that the Canadian studio instead caused damage to Epic's license agreement and trade secrets.

JoystiqSilicon Knights plans to appeal in Epic case originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 May 2012 17:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appealepicepic-gameslawsuitlegalnorth-carolinasilicon-knightsThu, 31 May 2012 17:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Mortal Kombat publisher appealing Aussie 'Refused Classification' decision]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/mortal-kombat-publisher-appealing-aussie-refused-classification/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/mortal-kombat-publisher-appealing-aussie-refused-classification/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/mortal-kombat-publisher-appealing-aussie-refused-classification/#comments Warner Bros. Interactive's Australian arm will appeal the RC (Refused Classification) "unrating" bestowed upon Mortal Kombat by the Australian Classification Review Board. The designation prevents the game from being sold by retailers in the country.

"After reviewing both the gameplay and the Board's original decision, WBIE Australia believe the violence in the game is on par with numerous other titles readily available for sale in the Australian market," reads the publisher's statement, obtained by IGN AU. "As such, the company wants to exhaust all options to make the game available to Mortal Kombat fans in this country. An identical version of the game will be submitted for appeal."

Two years ago, Valve resubmitted an unedited version of Left 4 Dead 2 to the Aussie classification board in an appeal to an earlier RC ruling and ... lost.

JoystiqMortal Kombat publisher appealing Aussie 'Refused Classification' decision originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appealAustraliamicrosoftMortal-Kombatmortal-kombat-2011oflcplaystationps3r18ratingsWBIExboxWed, 02 Mar 2011 11:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Wisconsin jail outlaws Dungeons & Dragons]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/28/wisconsin-jail-outlaws-dungeons-and-dragons/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/28/wisconsin-jail-outlaws-dungeons-and-dragons/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/28/wisconsin-jail-outlaws-dungeons-and-dragons/#comments
[Image: Wiki Commons]
And here we thought Wisconsin couldn't get any more depressing. Kevin T. Singer, an inmate at Wisconsin's Waupun prison, has been upset with a policy enacted in 2004 that banned all Dungeons & Dragons in the jail. Officials there cited the game promotes gang behavior and subsequently confiscated all of Singer's D&D materials.

Singer's long been a fan of the pen-and-paper game and tried to appeal the policy, but the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals filed in favor of the prison on Monday, stating that its policy wasn't unreasonable. Singer argued that the ruling is a violation of his First Ammendment rights, but we guess he failed to gain respect for his cause when he signed his appeal with his elvish mage's name: Gilchall Helehuialagos.

[Via G4]

JoystiqWisconsin jail outlaws Dungeons & Dragons originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appealdungeons-and-dragonsjailkevin-singerkevin-t-singerpen-and-paperrpgwisconsinThu, 28 Jan 2010 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Banned PSN player appeals court decision, sues Sony again for $180k]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/27/banned-psn-player-appeals-court-decision-sues-sony-again-for-1/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/27/banned-psn-player-appeals-court-decision-sues-sony-again-for-1/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/27/banned-psn-player-appeals-court-decision-sues-sony-again-for-1/#comments
If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Erik Estavillo made headlines in the gaming blogosphere last summer for his $55,000 lawsuit against Sony, launched in retaliation for being banned from the PlayStation Network. As predicted, the judge dismissed his case after determining the First Amendment did not apply to Estavillo's claim.

Estavallo isn't going to be stopped by a mere district judge's ruling, though. In addition to filing an appeal, Estavillo is also filing another lawsuit against Sony -- this time, a civil suit seeking $180,000 in damages; more than three times the amount of his original, dismissed suit. According to GamePolitics, Estavillo will once again opt out of using a lawyer, choosing to represent himself for both upcoming cases. We wish Estavillo the best of luck.*

*Ed.'s Note: While we'd normally end on a punchline, our fear of irrational and baseless lawsuits prevents us from doing so.

JoystiqBanned PSN player appeals court decision, sues Sony again for $180k originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appealerik-estavillolawsuitlegallolplaystation-networkpsnsceasonySony-Computer-Entertainment-AmericaTue, 27 Oct 2009 09:21:00 EST<![CDATA[The Pirate Bay retrial request denied]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/26/the-pirate-bay-retrial-request-denied/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/26/the-pirate-bay-retrial-request-denied/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/26/the-pirate-bay-retrial-request-denied/#comments
It seems the lengthy litigatory road embarked upon by The Pirate Bay's four founders back in April is finally coming to an end. Following a guilty verdict that sentenced Frederik Neij, Gottfrid Svartholm Warg, Carl Lundstrom and Peter Sunde to one year in prison and fines of 30 million kronor (about $4 million), the quartet's lawyer requested an appeal after it was revealed that the presiding judge over the case was, in fact, a member of the Swedish Association for the Protection of Industrial Property. The request was denied earlier today by the Svea Court of Appeal.

Yes, the folks who made it possible to finally find that KeyGen for your downloaded copy of Barbie Horse Adventures: Mystery Ride are heading for a Swedish slammer -- but before they go, they'll reportedly press charges against Sweden for violating their human rights.

[Original image: marcusrg]

JoystiqThe Pirate Bay retrial request denied originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appealcourtjudgepiracypirate-baythe-pirate-bayFri, 26 Jun 2009 20:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Court denies Nintendo's appeal in patent infringement lawsuit]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/court-denies-nintendos-appeal-in-patent-infringement-lawsuit/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/court-denies-nintendos-appeal-in-patent-infringement-lawsuit/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/court-denies-nintendos-appeal-in-patent-infringement-lawsuit/#commentsFiled under:

Nintendo is officially down $21 million.

After a recent court ruling that declared Nintendo the loser in a patent infringement case, Nintendo appealed the $21 million penalty sum, hoping to have the charge reduced. Anascape Ltd. was the plaintiff in the case (and potential receiver of large amounts of cash), claiming that Nintendo violated their patents when making the GameCube, Classic, Wavebird, and Wiimote controllers.

A judge denied Nintendo's appeal, finding that the sum was fair based on the evidence. Anascape, obviously, was happy about the outcome, with the lead council saying, "We appreciate the Court's thoughtful consideration in upholding the jury's decision. Although not a giant corporation like Nintendo, Anascape has every right to protect its technology."

Since the patent affects all of Nintendo's most recent controllers, we wonder if this will have any impact on Nintendo's future designs or technologies.

JoystiqCourt denies Nintendo's appeal in patent infringement lawsuit originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anascapeappealclassic-controllergamecube-controllerlawsuitpatentpatent-infringementwavebirdwiimoteMon, 30 Jun 2008 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[More Manhunt 2 dramarama]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/25/more-manhunt-2-dramarama/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/25/more-manhunt-2-dramarama/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/25/more-manhunt-2-dramarama/#commentsFiled under:

If you're familiar with the Manhunt 2 saga, you'll know that things were looking good for Rockstar. The company recently won an appeal against the BBFC, meaning that the controversial game could finally be rated and sold in stores in the UK. The BBFC had one last trick up its sleeve, however. The board essentially appealed the appeal by bringing the Video Appeals Committee's decision under judicial review. That's where we last left off.

Unfortunately for Rockstar, the High Court sided with the BBFC. The VAC must now reconsider its appeal, which for all intents and purposes probably means, "Change your decision to agree with the BBFC, or else."

During the trial, the BBFC argued that the VAC's decision undermined the board's role as the watchdogs of entertainment. This may be true, but what is the point of having a Video Appeals Committee if it's not able to uphold appeals? This is also a huge blow to Rockstar, because it gives the company little hope of ever being able to sell the game in the UK.

Rockstar is also currently dealing with criticism in the UK for its new rendition of Bully, which is coming to the Wii and Xbox 360 later this year.

[Via Games Industry]

JoystiqMore Manhunt 2 dramarama originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Jan 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appealbbfcbritaincensormanhunt-2rockstarukvacFri, 25 Jan 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[And the Manhunt 2 saga continues]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/17/and-the-manhunt-2-saga-continues/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/17/and-the-manhunt-2-saga-continues/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/17/and-the-manhunt-2-saga-continues/#commentsFiled under:

Although Rockstar won the appeal to get the controversial Manhunt 2 rated in the UK, the battle is far from over. The BBFC is now challenging the verdict by applying for a judicial review of the Video Appeals Committee's decision. The BBFC is adamant about its course of action, stating, "The VAC judgment, if allowed to stand, would have fundamental implications with regard to all the Board's decisions, including those turning upon questions of unacceptable levels of violence." Won't someone think of the children?

The BBFC is also trying to have the VAC's decision suspended, so that the Board doesn't have to rate the game until after the judicial review.

While it seems no one cares about playing Manhunt 2 anymore, the final outcome is certain to have repercussions for rating games (in the UK, at least) in the future.

[Via press release]

JoystiqAnd the Manhunt 2 saga continues originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Dec 2007 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appealbbfccensorcensorshipmanhunt-2manhunt2rockstarMon, 17 Dec 2007 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rockstar fights Manhunt 2 ban in UK, wins (for now)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/10/rockstar-fights-manhunt-2-ban-in-uk-wins-for-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/10/rockstar-fights-manhunt-2-ban-in-uk-wins-for-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/10/rockstar-fights-manhunt-2-ban-in-uk-wins-for-now/#commentsFiled under:

You may remember that Rockstar appealed the BBFC's decision to refuse to rate Manhunt 2. Well, things seem to be finally going Rockstar's way, for once, as the Video Appeals Committee ruled in favor of the publisher by four votes to three.

So, does this mean that this whole fiasco is over and Manhunt 2 will finally get its 18 rating? Not exactly. The BBFC can still take the case to the High Court in order to try to keep the ban on the game.

Whether you care about Manhunt 2 or not, we've already seen how the decision to ban the title in the UK has affected other games. At least this appeal is a step in the right direction regarding video game censorship.

JoystiqRockstar fights Manhunt 2 ban in UK, wins (for now) originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 Dec 2007 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appealbbfccensorcensorshipmanhunt-2manhunt2rockstarMon, 10 Dec 2007 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Six weeks later: Rockstar fights back]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/02/six-weeks-later-rockstar-fights-back/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/02/six-weeks-later-rockstar-fights-back/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/02/six-weeks-later-rockstar-fights-back/#commentsFiled under:

Six weeks after Manhunt 2's ban from the BBFC (and subsequently, an AO rating from the ESRB), Rockstar has finally formulated an appeal. The Video Appeals Committee (VAC) will have to analyze both the BBFC and Rockstar's position on the game, and choose whether or not to uphold the ban.

It's good to see Rockstar finally fighting back: hopefully, gamers will be able to see the version of Manhunt 2 Rockstar intended to make all along -- not an edited version created to satiate the meek.

[Via 1UP]

JoystiqSix weeks later: Rockstar fights back originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Aug 2007 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appealbbfcmanhuntrockstarThu, 02 Aug 2007 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Shocking DualShock case still not going Sony's way]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/13/shocking-dualshock-case-still-not-going-sonys-way/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/13/shocking-dualshock-case-still-not-going-sonys-way/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/13/shocking-dualshock-case-still-not-going-sonys-way/#commentsFiled under:

A DualShock 2 controller and a judge's gavelSony's attempt to overturn the 2004 ruling on Immersion's haptic technology patents and receive a new trial was denied in court recently.

The Wall Street Journal tells quite a tale concerning another force-feedback inventor, originally a paid consultant of Immersion, who allegedly received advance royalties from Sony in exchange for testimony against his former client. There's enough drama in this case to fill a television soap opera--or, better yet, a police or crime-scene procedural.

For the full contents of the article, you'll need to log in as a subscriber to the Journal through the picture above or the Read link below. We don't know to what extent this courtroom drama will affect the "boomerang" PS3 prototype controller design, future DualShock 2 availability and compatibility, or any possible delays to the new system itself, but Sony's separate appeal in federal court has yet to be ruled on, leaving the company one more crucial legal avenue to pursue in this matter.

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqShocking DualShock case still not going Sony's way originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Mar 2006 20:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appealcontrollercourtdelaydesignDualShockfederalforce feedbackForceFeedbackhaptic technologyHapticTechnologyImmersionlegal avenueLegalAvenueoverturnpatentrulingsoap operaSoapOperatrialWall Street JournalWallStreetJournalMon, 13 Mar 2006 20:27:00 EST