Newsflash Signup

Buy now at Zavvi.com
Develop Pub Quiz

THQ sues Activision Blizzard

Bookmark with Social network
THQ sues Activision Blizzard

US publisher takes fellow supplier to court over similar box art

THQ is suing Activision Blizzard for allegedly copying box art in an attempt to confuse consumers.

According to Edge, THQ said Activision's upcoming title, SCORE International Baja 1000: The Official Game has box art that is too close in similarity to THQ's September title Baja: Edge of Control.

THQ holds copyrights for its box art, claimed that it has spent over $1 million on advertising, marketing and promotion of Baja: Edge of Control. The firm said the front and back of Activision's packaging is too similar.

The suit reads: "...Activision's impending use of packaging art [for its game] ... is likely to confuse, cause mistake or deceive the public into believing that the Activision Game originates or is sponsored or approved by THQ, when in fact it is not."

The company is asking the court to prohibit the release of Activision's Baja title bearing the current artwork.

Advertisement

THQ said it contacted Activision at the beginning of October with a complaint, and had written and spoken to the defendant on "several occasions." Activision has refused to change the packaging, according to THQ's complaint.

THQ said if Activision is not enjoined from the release of the allegedly offending box art and game, THQ will suffer "as yet unknown" damages and would "be entitled to Activision's profits from the sale of the Activision Game”.

The firm is also seeking attorneys' fees.

This is gonna be interesting...

posted by LeeC Oct 29, 2008 at 8:27 am
1
LeeC

Be interesting to see how this one pans out. The covers are very, very similar, even down to the logo placement and angle.

Makes you wonder whether THQ have contacted Activision to point it out and "ask" them to change it, or have they just jumped in with the lawsuit. I would be shocked if Activision have been asked and have chosen to ignore the request.

Of course, they do say that negative publicity can sometimes be better than positive publicity... so who knows. Either way, from an artists perspective, it'll be an interesting one to follow.

  • + 0 
  • - 0 
  • 0

Leave a Comment

Develop Pub Quiz
MCV

ABOUT US

MCV is the leading trade news and community site for all professionals working within the UK and international video games market. It reaches everyone from store manager to CEO, covering the entire industry. MCV is published by Intent Media, which specialises in entertainment, leisure and technology markets

Intent media, Company number 03641099