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 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Rocksmith also available in $200 Epiphone guitar bundle]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/09/rocksmith-also-available-in-200-epiphone-guitar-bundle/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/09/rocksmith-also-available-in-200-epiphone-guitar-bundle/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/09/rocksmith-also-available-in-200-epiphone-guitar-bundle/#comments Rocksmith allows you to use any guitar as a music game controller, and for interactive music lessons. That's so awesome if you have an electric guitar! But what if you don't have a guitar? What then? What do you do? How does that work?

It'll be okay. In addition to the normal $80 bundle (which includes the game and an interface cable), Ubisoft has announced a $200 bundle that throws in an Epiphone Les Paul Junior guitar. It's an "entry level" guitar, but then, if you're buying Rocksmith, you're probably an "entry level" guitar player, and you can buy into the hobby for less than you'd spend at a pawn shop.

Continue reading Rocksmith also available in $200 Epiphone guitar bundle

JoystiqRocksmith also available in $200 Epiphone guitar bundle originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 23:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epiphonegibsonmicrosoftpcplaystationps3rocksmithubisoftxboxThu, 09 Jun 2011 23:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Gibson and Viacom settle guitar patent lawsuit]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/09/gibson-and-viacom-settle-guitar-patent-lawsuit/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/09/gibson-and-viacom-settle-guitar-patent-lawsuit/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/09/gibson-and-viacom-settle-guitar-patent-lawsuit/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The patent suit filed by the Gibson guitar company against Harmonix, Viacom and EA over the Rock Band guitar has come to an end. Rather than the clear victory Harmonix seemed to expect, the parties have agreed to settle. According to Business Week, Gibson and Viacom asked a federal court to dismiss the case by June 14, stating that they "had reached a full settlement." Finally, we can all rock out without being racked by guilt over using a potentially infringing device.

Gibson originally claimed that the Rock Band guitar violated a 1999 patent for "a system for electronically simulating participation by a user in a pre-recorded musical performance." Gibson lost a similar case against its old Guitar Hero peripheral partner, Activision, in 2009.

[Via Edge]

JoystiqGibson and Viacom settle guitar patent lawsuit originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Electronic-ArtsGibsonHarmonixlawsuitmicrosoftnintendoplaystationps3Rock-BandViacomwiixboxXbox-360Wed, 09 Jun 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Harmonix calls for an encore in Gibson patent case]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/21/harmonix-calls-for-an-encore-in-gibson-patent-case/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/21/harmonix-calls-for-an-encore-in-gibson-patent-case/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/21/harmonix-calls-for-an-encore-in-gibson-patent-case/#commentsThe patent suit brought by Gibson against Harmonix and other parties related to Guitar Hero and Rock Band was stayed due to the US Patent and Trademark Office deciding to reexamine the patent. According to Patent Arcade, Harmonix and a group of retailers have asked a Tennessee court to continue proceedings -- of the case against them.

Why is Harmonix engaging in this seemingly self-destructive (but not in the cool rock star way) behavior? When the USPTO looked into the patent again, it changed the definition of "musical instrument" to include the characteristics of being "adapted for making musical sounds" and "the instrument audio signal comprising an electrical signal output by the musical instrument that varies in response to operation of the instrument by the user of the system."

Harmonix apparently believes that because of this new definition, and because of the precedent set by Gibson's other case, against Activision, the case will go in its favor in the end. If the stay is lifted, Harmonix will then file a motion for summary judgment of non-infringement.

JoystiqHarmonix calls for an encore in Gibson patent case originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioneaElectronic-Artsgibsonguitar-heroharmonixlawsuitmtvpatentrock-bandWed, 21 Oct 2009 09:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision and Gibson settle Guitar Hero patent lawsuit]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/25/activision-and-gibson-settle-guitar-hero-patent-lawsuit/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/25/activision-and-gibson-settle-guitar-hero-patent-lawsuit/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/25/activision-and-gibson-settle-guitar-hero-patent-lawsuit/#comments
Earlier this month, Activision and Gibson Guitar Corporation (the guitar manufacturer) settled the year-old litigation over a patent dispute, according to court documents obtained by Gamastura. With all the lawsuits we've been writing about recently, you'd think we'd see more posts like this every once in a while, right?

The terms of the settlement haven't been released as of yet and we've requested comment from both companies. Confusing the situation even more is Gibson's recent loss in ... umm ... another case with the publisher, we suppose? Perhaps the two companies will explain.

Activision remains engaged on another music/rhythm game front with Genius Products ... via 7 Studios, its development studio, over Scratch: The Ultimate DJ. Like us, you'll just have to wait patiently until the tantalizing results of that lawsuit come to light.

JoystiqActivision and Gibson settle Guitar Hero patent lawsuit originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 25 Apr 2009 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionactivision-blizzardbusinessgamasutragibsonguitar-herolawsuitlitigationsettlementSat, 25 Apr 2009 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gibson loses Guitar Hero patent suit, outlook on other claims in doubt]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/02/gibson-loses-guitar-hero-patent-suit-outlook-on-other-claims-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/02/gibson-loses-guitar-hero-patent-suit-outlook-on-other-claims-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/02/gibson-loses-guitar-hero-patent-suit-outlook-on-other-claims-in/#comments
It appears Gibson's master plan to play patent troll against many companies within the game industry will fail. Engadget reports that Activision's defensive lawsuit against Gibson has succeeded. The guitar maker was trying to squeeze some extra cash out of its former partner by tying Guitar Hero to a patent it had whereby a "musician can simulate participation in a concert by playing a musical instrument and wearing a head-mounted 3D display that includes stereo speakers." Not only did the court not agree with Gibson's patent claim, but the judgment stated Activision's plastic peripherals aren't instruments, but "toys that represent other items."

Activision's win puts doubt on Gibson's ability to continue its litigious money-grab against Harmonix, EA, Viacom, and its ability to stop major retailers from selling the Guitar Hero games. Perhaps Gibson should seek better counsel the next time it attempts to take on an entire industry with a weak patent claim.

Source -- Gibson loses GH patent lawsuit, gets booed off stage [Engadget]
Source -- PDF of ruling.

JoystiqGibson loses Guitar Hero patent suit, outlook on other claims in doubt originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionactivision-blizzardbusinessgibsongibson-guitarlawsuitlitigationMon, 02 Mar 2009 17:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Guitar Hero gets branded up]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/guitar-hero-gets-branded-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/guitar-hero-gets-branded-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/guitar-hero-gets-branded-up/#commentsFiled under:


Activision has announced a whole slew of brands will be supporting the upcoming Guitar Hero: World Tour, from amps right on down to guitar strings. It's nothing new to us, considering the company did the same thing for previous Guitar Hero games, but the list for World Tour is kind of massive. It goes:
  • Ampeg
  • Audio-Technica
  • EMG Pickups
  • Ernie Ball
  • Evans Drumheads
  • Guitar Center
  • Krank Amplification
  • Mackie
  • Marshall
  • Orange County Drum & Percussion
  • Pork Pie Percussion
  • Regal Tip
  • Sabian cymbals
  • Vox
  • Zildjian drumsticks
Of course, with Rock Band tapping Fender for their guitar needs, and Gibson suing everyone on the planet, we wonder why Activision hasn't found another suitable Guitar manufacturer to feature in their game. May we suggest Ibanez? They make some nice guitars!


[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqGuitar Hero gets branded up originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AmpegAudio-TechnicabrandEMG-PickupsErnie-BallEvans-DrumheadsgibsonGuitar-Centerguitar-heroguitar-hero-world-tourKrank-Amplificationmackiemarshallmusicpork-pieregal-tiprhythmsabianvoxworld-tourzildjianThu, 28 Aug 2008 12:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Guitar Hero World Tour features lots of brands (except Gibson!)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/guitar-hero-world-tour-features-lots-of-brands-except-gibson/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/guitar-hero-world-tour-features-lots-of-brands-except-gibson/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/guitar-hero-world-tour-features-lots-of-brands-except-gibson/#commentsFiled under: , ,


An Activision press release that just landed in our inbox breathlessly details every single promotional tie-in that Guitar Hero World Tour's packing. Really, it's a huge list! Here it is, straight from the release: "Ampeg, Audio-Technica, EMG Pickups, Ernie Ball, Evans Drumheads, Guitar Center, Krank Amplification, Mackie, Marshall, Orange County Drum & Percussion, Pork Pie Percussion, Regal Tip, Sabian cymbals, Vox and Zildjian drumsticks."

Notice anything missing? Considering it's busy trying to sue everyone but Activision, even retailers, it's unsurprising that guitar-maker (and patent-claimer) Gibson is nowhere to be seen. Of course, the total absence of any Gibson branding on Guitar Hero World Tour's Genericasters was our first clue but it would appear that lack of cooperation extends to the in-game experience as well. So, while you trick out your virtual drum kit with gear from the above purveyors, your axe will remain hopelessly generic. Isn't there any game in town besides Gibson and Rock Band BFF's Fender?

JoystiqGuitar Hero World Tour features lots of brands (except Gibson!) originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Aug 2008 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionGibsonGuitar-HeroGuitar-Hero-World-TourNeversoftPS3Xbox-360Thu, 28 Aug 2008 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gibson lays lawsuit on GameStop, other major retailers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/21/gibson-lays-lawsuit-on-gamestop-other-major-retailers/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/21/gibson-lays-lawsuit-on-gamestop-other-major-retailers/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/21/gibson-lays-lawsuit-on-gamestop-other-major-retailers/#commentsFiled under: ,

Gibson seems to be poking its straw into any hole it can find these days, trying to desperately suck up some of that gooey Guitar Hero money before it's all gone. On Monday, the guitar maker filed a federal lawsuit against major retailers that sell Guitar Hero games, including GameStop, Wal-Mart, Target, Kmart, Amazon, and Toys "R" Us, seeking to prohibit sales of the games. In a statement released Thursday, the company claimed it took "this action reluctantly, but is required to protect its intellectual property."

Though Gibson has yet to file suit against Guitar Hero owner Activision, the guitar company has made a legal claim alleging that the games (when played with the guitar controllers) violate Gibson's patent for a type of virtual music performance. Subsequently, Activision filed a preemptive lawsuit against Gibson last week, and then publicly dismissed Gibson's patent infringement claim. Most recently, Gibson targeted Guitar Hero creator and former developer Harmonix, its daddy's daddy Viacom and Rock Band co-publisher Electronic Arts for allegedly violating the same patent ... Yeah, our head's spinning too.

[Via Engadget]

JoystiqGibson lays lawsuit on GameStop, other major retailers originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonbreakingnewsgamestopgibsonguitar-herokmartlawsuittargettoys-r-uswal-martFri, 21 Mar 2008 18:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Gibson sues Harmonix, Viacom, EA over Guitar Hero]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/21/gibson-sues-harmonix-viacom-ea-over-guitar-hero/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/21/gibson-sues-harmonix-viacom-ea-over-guitar-hero/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/21/gibson-sues-harmonix-viacom-ea-over-guitar-hero/#commentsFiled under: ,


Following Activision's filing of a pre-emptive lawsuit last week - asking a judge to dismiss guitar-maker Gibson's Guitar Hero patent claim and later saying it had "no merit" - and then Gibson's lawsuit against major retailers selling the game, Gibson has now filed a patent infringement lawsuit against ... well, not Activision. No, Gibson has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against former Guitar Hero developer Harmonix; Harmonix's parent company's parent company, Viacom; and Rock Band publisher and all around Guitar Hero-less innocent bystander Electronic Arts.

Gibson is claiming the aforementioned companies violate their 1999 patent covering "a system for electronically simulating participation by a user in a pre-recorded musical performance." For their money - even though they're not the ones being sued - Activision claims that "by waiting three years to raise its claim, Gibson had granted an implied license for any technology." Regardless of the outcome or the number of Gibson-branded plastic guitars out there, we suspect it won't be getting a fruit basket from the video game industry this holiday.

JoystiqGibson sues Harmonix, Viacom, EA over Guitar Hero originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Mar 2008 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BreakingNewsEAElectronic-ArtsGibsonHarmonixMTVFri, 21 Mar 2008 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision believes Gibson's patent has 'no merit']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/20/activision-believes-gibsons-patent-has-no-merit/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/20/activision-believes-gibsons-patent-has-no-merit/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/20/activision-believes-gibsons-patent-has-no-merit/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Activision has made a formal statement about its lawsuit against Gibson Guitar Corporation's patent claim on Guitar Hero. Activision calls Gibson's squeeze-play a "transparent end run ... on patent assertions that Gibson knows have no merit." According to Activision, Gibson waited three years until this past January to make its patent allegations and only did so after Activision said it was no longer interested in renewing its "marketing and support agreement with Gibson."

Poor Gibson, looks like it's just a little bitter about (Warning: double cliché alert) not seeing the light on its patent many moons ago and missing the boat on a billion dollar franchise. Meanwhile, Harmonix is still making money off the franchise it lost and is currently working out a deal with Activision over the $14.5 million the company says it's due in royalty fees.

JoystiqActivision believes Gibson's patent has 'no merit' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionghgibsonguitar-heroguitarheroharmonixlawsuitPS3WiiXbox-360Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision files lawsuit after Gibson claims Guitar Hero patent]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/12/activision-files-lawsuit-after-gibson-claims-guitar-hero-patent/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/12/activision-files-lawsuit-after-gibson-claims-guitar-hero-patent/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/12/activision-files-lawsuit-after-gibson-claims-guitar-hero-patent/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Yesterday was a busy legal day for the Guitar Hero franchise, what with Harmonix pulling a $14.5 million dollar royalty suit on the same day Activision decided to address a patent claim from its guitar partners at Gibson. Sure, we're not fancy lawyers with fancy pants, but it strikes us as particularly odd that Gibson managed to work up a deal with Activision - licensing its branding as well as the likenesses of some of its most iconic guitars - well before realizing that, hey! It's already patented this whole thing and owns the rights to a device whereby a "musician can simulate participation in a concert by playing a musical instrument and wearing a head-mounted 3D display that includes stereo speakers."

Turns out that while Gibson told its pals at Activision about the patent back in January, the Big A just filed a lawsuit yesterday asking the U.S. District Court for Central California "to declare Gibson's patent invalid and to bar it from seeking damages." Considering we're talking about a billion dollar franchise, we're sure Gibson's been seeing dollar signs. Perhaps it's afraid games like Guitar Hero are siphoning potential guitar sales away from, y'know, actual instruments ... or maybe it just figured why the heck not. Unless they make nice nice, we figure there's a chance we could see Fender-branded guitars in both guitar rhythm series going forward.

[Via Engadget]

Read - Activision's "Guitar Hero" violates patent: Gibson (Reuters)
Read - United States Patent Number 5,990,405

JoystiqActivision files lawsuit after Gibson claims Guitar Hero patent originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Mar 2008 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionBreakingNewsGibsonGuitar-HeroGuitar-Hero-IIIlegalPS2PS3WiiXbox-360Wed, 12 Mar 2008 19:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Get another wireless GHIII Les Paul in early 2008]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/26/get-another-wireless-ghiii-les-paul-in-early-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/26/get-another-wireless-ghiii-les-paul-in-early-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/26/get-another-wireless-ghiii-les-paul-in-early-2008/#commentsFiled under: ,

If your other corded Xplorer guitar just isn't cutting it and are in desperate need of another wireless Gibson Les Paul to rock out with in Guitar Hero III, then your wait is almost over.

Today, Activision announced that the not so white Guitar Hero III wireless Les Paul guitar controller will be available separately at retail stores starting in early 2008. No price or exact date were revealed in the press release, but you can bet your left leg that they'll try to get it onto store shelves rather quickly and at a price that will be semi-hefty compared to the bundle. But it's a small investment to be rockin' wireless and rockin' with a friend, because that's how real rockstars roll.

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqGet another wireless GHIII Les Paul in early 2008 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Nov 2007 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaghiiigibsonguitar-hero-iiineversoftperipheralsMon, 26 Nov 2007 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Wii Guitar Hero controller: First image!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/10/the-wii-guitar-hero-controller-first-image/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/10/the-wii-guitar-hero-controller-first-image/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/10/the-wii-guitar-hero-controller-first-image/#commentsFiled under:


Activision and RedOctane have finally unveiled the Wii's Guitar Hero 3 controller. Like the one for the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions, it's based on the Gibson Les Paul shape, with a removable solid white faceplate. However, unlike the version for the other systems, it's got a big cavity in it for the Wiimote, which a lot of us expected.

Does the fact that we have already bought about $40 worth of this controller make the $90 price for game and guitar too high? It's an old argument, but now that we have a little more information, it may be worth thinking about again.

[Via GayGamer]

JoystiqThe Wii Guitar Hero controller: First image! originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Jul 2007 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ghgh3gibsonguitarguitar heroguitar hero 3GuitarHeroGuitarHero3les paulLesPaulnintendonintendo wiiNintendoWiiwiiTue, 10 Jul 2007 09:50:00 EST