Update: Konami vs. Roxor (and RedOctane and Mad Catz)

Wolfman Jake · Trick Member Joined: 13 Sep 2002

As reported at Bemanistyle, Konami has amended its original complaint against Roxor games. The lawsuit now also names RedOctane and Mad Catz as parties infringing upon the Dance Dance Revolution brand. RedOctane is named for publishing the home version of In The Groove. Madcatz is named for their own dance game, MC GROOVZ danceCRAZE, on the Nintendo Gamecube. Konami's press release can be found here. This is getting rather interesting now.
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Wolfman Jake

Synaesthesia · Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2005 6:53 pm Post subject:

Good thing I already have my copy of ITG and don't rely on those companies for pads or anything.

I'm going to see if I can't find the court filings, just to see how RO/MC are causing patent infringement. I was under the impression that the patent infringement was the Boxor hijacking of cabinets, and the other counts mentioned were trademark.

EDIT: Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) costs money, especially having to dial-in. Maybe someone else can look up the documents. Oh, I personally say this should be t3h headline'd.

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Thomas Hobbes · Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2005 6:53 pm Post subject:

Oh, wow. This is quite interesting. Go Konami. Fight the right fight!
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Wolfman Jake · Trick Member Joined: 13 Sep 2002

Synaesthesia · Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2005 7:03 pm Post subject:

Yeah, like I said in the edit (which happened after your last post), PACER costs money, (if you can make your charges <$10, it's free; that's 10 for the whole calendar year) so that rules me out. Maybe whoever found the original documents can make a sequel?
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Thomas Hobbes · Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2005 7:03 pm Post subject:

I believe Konami holds the patent for:

"Video games where you step in beat to music. For each step you make you are graded immediately on screen based on your accuracy to the music" type games, where you "dance". They also hold the patent for edit mode, IIRC too.

Yeah, that's not the exact precise legal terminology and wording that their patent holds, but if I recall correctly it's on the lines of such.

EDIT: Can anyone go through their DDR booklets/manuals and check for any patent numbers that they possibly list maybe on any of their packaging or manuals? Can't we just google up a Patent Lister or something of the sort online and input the patent numbers to see what the patents are in their full like legality?

EDIT2: Where's the guy that wrote the FAQ about this? Perhaps, he can come in an explain what these new events and bring some enlightenment to us? This is quite interesting and I am quite curious. :]
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Synaesthesia · Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2005 7:09 pm Post subject:

It's not in any of the instruction manuals. I'm going to see if I can find any of the other papers that come with the games, but that's unlikely. Maybe they're available online?
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'Ivan · Trick Member Joined: 01 Aug 2004 Location: Thailand

Synaesthesia · Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2005 7:11 pm Post subject:

We want specific patent numbers, so that they can be researched in the patent database.

EDIT: Judging from my GameCube, patent numbers are found in the white "Precautions" piece of paper, the one that tells you about all the stuff that might happen but probably never will while you play.
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Thomas Hobbes · Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2005 7:13 pm Post subject:

'Ivan · Trick Member Joined: 01 Aug 2004 Location: Thailand

I got confused.

All I've got for ALL THREE DDR US games is on the back, it says "U.S. AND FOREIGN PATENTS PENDING".

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Thomas Hobbes · Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2005 7:18 pm Post subject:

ITG and all the DDR US releases all say that too.
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'Ivan · Trick Member Joined: 01 Aug 2004 Location: Thailand

Meow?
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Sinistar · Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2005 7:23 pm Post subject:

It's worth noting that both ITG and MC Groovz pretty clearly violate Konami's patent on calorie counters in dancing games.
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Wolfman Jake · Trick Member Joined: 13 Sep 2002

That looks like the right one, 'Ivan.

Synaesthesia · Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2005 7:25 pm Post subject:

In the original suit, Konami claims US Patent No. 6,410,835. It's called the "Dance Game Apparatus and Step-On Base for Dance Game."

EDIT: 'Ivan got it. Same title and everything. This thread moves like lightning, especially when I'm on 56K.
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Thomas Hobbes · Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2005 7:26 pm Post subject:

Wow, so they're going to be slapped for multiple patent infringements then.
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Synaesthesia · Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2005 7:30 pm Post subject:

Re-reading that patent, I can't tell if it's "legalese," Engrish, or maybe legalese Engrish

"The stance of a player stepping on the step-on base section as instructed looks like that of dancing using the whole body, and it becomes powerful and compelling, depending upon the level of skill. This shows great power for step dance practice. "

For great justice?
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Synaesthesia · Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2005 7:33 pm Post subject:

mtwieg · Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2005 7:46 pm Post subject:

how can konami claim a patent on the entire dancing game genre?? That's like patenting rpg's or first person shooters, which is ridiculous.