Sega sues Level-5, charges patent infringement in Inazuma Eleven

Jessica Conditt — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 21:00:00 EST

Level-5, perhaps best known in the western world as the publisher of the Professor Layton games, has a popular soccer series in Japan called Inazuma Eleven, and Sega doesn't like it. Sega is suing Level-5, alleging patent infringement on a mechanic in Nintendo DS versions of Inazuma Eleven that allows players to move characters with their fingers or a stylus, Kotaku reports.

Sega's endgame is to halt the sale of all eight Inazuma Eleven games and to get ¥900 million ($11 million) in damages from Level-5. The case heard opening statements on December 7, and Level-5 plans to fight the charges.

"We are preparing our rebuttal and do not have any comments to make at this time," Level-5 says.

Sega sues Level-5, charges patent infringement in Inazuma Eleven originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Dec 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony, Kevin Butler actor in lawsuit over breach of contract

Jessica Conditt — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 18:00:00 EST

Sony filed a lawsuit implicating Jerry Lambert, the actor who plays Kevin Butler, Sony's high-energy, aggressive spokesman and fake VP of whatever happens to be relevant. Sony's claims are based on violations of the Lanham Act, misappropriation, breach of contract and tortious interference with a contractual relationship, senior director of corporate communications Dan Race writes in a statement to VentureBeat.

Early in September, images and video of Lambert in Bridgestone Tires' "Game On" promotion gained traction online, wherein Lambert is playing a Wii and over-acting in a style similar to his Kevin Butler character. Lambert appeared in Bridgestone commercials as early as February. On September 11, Sony filed a lawsuit against Bridgestone Tires and Wildcat Creek, an advertising agency for which Lambert is actually president.

Since the filing, Lambert has been removed from the most recent Bridgestone ads. The Game On promotion ended on September 30.

"We invested significant resources in bringing the Kevin Butler character to life and he's become an iconic personality directly associated with PlayStation products over the years," Sony's statement says. "Use of the Kevin Butler character to sell products other than those from PlayStation misappropriates Sony's intellectual property, creates confusion in the market, and causes damage to Sony."

Lambert and Sony reached an agreement on September 26, and Sony has until October 12 to officially withdraw the suit or announce it will continue forward. NeoGAF member Takao has a detailed breakdown of the entire lawsuit.

Below find a few of Lambert's most memorable Sony advertisements.

Continue reading Sony, Kevin Butler actor in lawsuit over breach of contract

Sony, Kevin Butler actor in lawsuit over breach of contract originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 07 Oct 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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