A few weeks ago Gibson (manufacturer of the guitar models replicated in Guitar Hero's controllers) sued Activision (owner of the Guitar Hero franchise) for patent infringement. They claimed that Guitar Hero infringed upon a patent they held for a "System and method for generating and controlling a simulated musical concert experience".

Last week Gibson also turned its eyes toward Electronic Arts, MTV, and Harmonix - the forces behind Rock Band - with a similar lawsuit.

I can't help but find the timing of the lawsuit interesting. Gibson was already getting licensing fees from the Guitar Hero franchise for using their guitar model for the controllers. It's not like they were clueless to the existence of the franchise. Now, a few years later they decide to file suit?

The Rock Band suit is even more interesting because the developers chose to partner with the Fender guitar company for their controller. Perhaps it's an extra jab because they chose to go with Gibson's competition?

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