The Ant Commandos Coutersues RedOctane for Trade Dress Infringement

The Ant Commandos (TAC) is countersuing RedOctane, alleging the guitar controller was first designed by TAC’s part owner Topaway and its trade dress later copied by RedOctane after RedOctane’s CEO visited its Chinese factory and subsequently purchased several hundred of its controllers. In addition TAC has filed for an injunction asking that Activision and RedOctane be prevented from infringing on the “trade dress” and that Guitar Hero software be unbundle from SG controller to allow for fair competition.

Sources: GameSpot | Gamasutra | Next Generation | Kotaku | Joystiq | IGN | Silicon Era | GameDaily.biz

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• Harmonix Brings $14.5M Royalty Suit Against Activision - Sort-of (March 10, 2008)
• Activision Settles with Two Former Guitar Hero Executives (April 2, 2007)
• Activision Sues Ant Commandos and Former Guitar Hero Executives (February 9, 2007)
• RedOctane & The Ant Commandos Settle Guitar Hero Controller Dispute (December 27, 2006)
• RedOctane & The Ant Commandos in Settlement Discussions (October 30, 2006)
• Redoctane Sues The Ant Commandos over Peripheral (September 20, 2006)

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