Week 1 Articles
Below are my articles for Week 1:
1.) Gaming Giant Square Enix’s Case over Infringement of their CG Film, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/35229/118/
- Gaming wonder Square Enix won a December case in South Korea against Singer “Ivy” over infringement for Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children. Ivy produced a music video with Fantom Entertainment that treaded far too many similarites to Square Enix’s work. The judge ruled that the music video blatantly infringed on elements from the movie, such as the storyline, setting, characters and style of dress.
As we discussed in class 2, how far is too far? Since content and media is so incredibly widespread and diverse now, its very easy to emulate and use elements from someone else’s creative suite. While its one thing to pay homage or “wink” at someone else’s creation, its another issue altogether to literally steal work head over heels. This was a case of literally taking another work as one’s own. Strangely enough, Ivy released a disclaimer when the video was released stating that it was a live recreation of Advent Children, it was still done without any consent whatsoever from Square Enix.
2.) Makers of the wildly popular Guitar Hero and Rock Band games endure lawsuit heat http://www.dailygaming.net/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=230
Rock Legend Metallica filed a suit against Harmonix and Activision (Creators of the Guitar Hero and Rock Band Franchise) for Copyright Infringement. After taking a serious blow profit wise as a result of file sharing in the late 90’s, the band is trying to take a proactive approach this time around. The suit claims that both companies were plotting to package and distribute Metallica Music through their video games known as a “licensed music to player” or LM2P network.
Since Activision came out and announced they paid a licensing fee for the only Metallica track to be used (titled “One”), they are baffled why Metallica would turn around and sue them. As we discussed in class 1, file sharing networks have always been a threat to the entertainment industry. Tying in with the “Cultural Perspectives” article, this trend of “user empowerment” is putting entertainment out to the masses by going around the old route paying for content. In the case of this article, Video games take much time, many resources, and much of work to ensure copyrights are maintained. To release a game as big as Guitar Hero or Rock Band to the mass market without being legitimate would be a grave, and callous error on the part of game developers.
3.) Accenture Files a patent Infringement Lawsuit http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Accenture+Files+Patent+Infringement+Lawsuit+Against+Guidewire.-a0172575822
In December, a lawsuit was filed against Guidewire Software by Accenture (NYSE: ACN). Accenture claimed that Guidewire infringed on U.S patent protecting Accenture Claim Components Solution (an insurance claims management technology from Accenture). Accenture has also filed for trade secret mishandling.
As we discussed in class 3, patent law can be a very murky issue. In this case, with something as serious as citizen insurance, keeping proper management of all the data, resources and technology involved is crucial. Also relating to our discussion of trade secrets, improper management of trade secrets (in this case) can not only be disastrous for the company itself, but for clients and customers as well.
