According to Japanese news site, Sankei reports that the notorious Capcom is suing the gaming publisher, Koei Tecmo Games, for multiple cases of patent infringement. While the full descriptions of these patents remain unclear, the allegations point to the mechanical functions found in older games like Samurai Warriors: Xtreme Legends and 49 other projects. After examining these properties and values, the indeterminate damages are estimated be worth 980 million yen or $9.43 million U.S. dollars.
While gaming critics might laugh at these charges due to a company seeking financial claim on classic titles, Capcom has actually filed this patent back in 2002. To refresh people’s memories, Koei Tecmo Corporation were two separate companies that later joined officially in 2009. Meaning, Capcom could have charged either companies, but the scenario really appears to be directed to Koei.
In the file, the document mentions “a function that lets someone acquire new content by combing an existing game with another piece of software”. This statement basically describes the ability to upload content from an older game to a new game. Dynasty Warriors fans might remember this importing mechanism in 2003 in the fourth sequels, which came out a year later after the third sequels were released in 2002.
Additionally, Samurai Warriors: Xtreme Legends was also affiliated with the Koei brand and also used expansion discs in conjunction with the original disc of a game, in order to unlock content. During this year, this writer, aged nine, also remembers the swapping discs process in order to acquire the saved data to load and transfer for the expansion content to appear, which was incredibly cool but also quite daunting.
Besides the data-swapping and expanding content feature, Capcom claims the controller-vibrating notification feature (when enemies are nearby) as a patent infringement “has greatly contributed to the sales” for the accused company. Though Capcom plans to acquire around 5-10% in license fees from these sales, this developer and publisher still demands the suspension of sales of these 50 products.
Although this lawsuit is incredibly ancient, one wonders why this court case is being brought open to the general public. Is this a good scheme for Capcom to acquire assets after Koei Tecmo games and Nintendo just released Hyrule Warriors in Japan within this month? Why the sudden announcements when KT will release three products in North America as well?
Though the speculations to earn profit is highly possible, interested spectators still need to find or hear more information before pointing fingers. As such, Gamer Headlines will mention more updates in the future.
For the original source, please visit Senkai or read IGN’s post.
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