JUNE 20 I GIBSON GUITAR I LEGAL
Gibson, Viacom Settle Rock Band Suit

Gibson Guitar settled its patent infringement claims against Viacom, Electronic Arts and retailers over the Rock Band music video game, according to Bloomberg Businessweek.

The companies told Magistrate Judge Juliet Griffin on June 4 that “they had reached a full settlement” and planned to seek dismissal of the case by June 14, according to a filing in federal court in Nashville, Tenn.

Gibson sued Viacom and its Harmonix Music Systems in 2008, claiming the video game infringed on a patent issued in 1999 for a way of using a musical instrument to take part in a simulated concert. Amazon.com, Target and Wal-Mart were also cited in the complaint.

Gibson also claimed the Guitar Hero games made by Activision Blizzard also infringed on its patent. The companies settled their dispute last year.

gibson.com