I think this is what we call "Irony."

sherl0k · Maniac Member Joined: 27 Jan 2002 Location: the internet

Big thanks to our old friend Remy for spotting this gem of an article.

"Last month, RedOctane and new parent company Activision filed suit against The Ant Commandos, a Chino, California-based company selling a lineup of wired and wireless guitar controllers for use with the PlayStation 2 edition of Guitar Hero. The developer and publisher of Guitar Hero allege that The Ant Commandos are guilty of a litany of offenses, including unfair competition, trademark infringement, copyright infringement, unfair and deceptive trade practices, false advertising, unjust enrichment, and more. The suit also names Hong Lip Yow as a defendant, saying The Ant Commandos is a shell company and that for all intents and purposes, he and the company are one and the same."

Full story here.

Hey wait didn't RO make tons of cash selling 3rd party DDR pads? This is classic...
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[quote:ed1f6848c5=\\\"jaeness\\\"]get your change from obama, he apparently has tons of it.[/quote]

Catnapp3r · Trick Member Joined: 29 Oct 2005

lolol

[Red Octane] will sue!
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K.R.A.F.O. FOREVER

Evil_pied · Trick Member Joined: 03 Jun 2006

I just lost alot of respect for Redoctane.

Fil · Trick Member Joined: 16 Jun 2005

moi aussi

ColorOfSakura · Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2006 8:45 pm Post subject:

Hi pot, meet kettle!
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gL.Karl · Trick Member Joined: 27 Jan 2004

There's a huge difference between creating 3rd party products and representing your products as someone else's by copying design, packaging, and trademarks that may confuse a consumer.

It's one thing to say, "our (RedOctane) DDR pads are just as good as official Konami pads at half the cost" without applying Konami logos or leading the buyer to believe they are purchasing a konami product. This is actually conducive to a market economy because it provides similar items at a lower price, and may even cause a price reduction in the supposedly better item, resulting in benefits to the consumer.

However, if a 3rd party manufacturer applies decals, designs, and markings that would confuse buyers into believing "This product is not just as good as a RedOctane guitar, but rather IT IS a RedOctane product" then no such benefit is derived. Even more, the true manufacturer's (RedOctane) reputation is now at risk. For example, should the item break or not work anywhere close to the consumer's expectation, they may believe that "RedOctane makes poor products" because the trademark infringements have led them to believe they were using a RedOctane, as opposed to another party's product.

So no. This isn't ironic. This is simply an example of a business trying to protect it's share of the market that it has created through it's own innovations and expenses against another corporation who is trying to take a free ride on the reputation of products created by a reputable company.
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Can't stop get it get it, uh.

Cutriss · Staff Member Joined: 24 Jan 2002

http://www.theantcommandos.com/products.html

Where on that page does it make any representation that these are RedOctane products, RedOctane-endorsed products, or anything infringing on their design?
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Sentient Mode is capable...

toady007 · Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2006 10:11 pm Post subject:

As a former employee of RedOctane, I can safely say that none of you understand exactly why RedOctane is suing this company. And no, I won't go into more detail than that. But I don't think this is "ironic" whatsoever.
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Baka of the Orochi · Trick Member Joined: 26 Jan 2002 Location: Chicago area

Anthony of TGA · Vivid Member Joined: 20 Jun 2004

Pie~ · Trick Member Joined: 08 Feb 2006 Location: California

toady007 · Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2006 11:15 pm Post subject:

Well don't get me wrong, I am incredibly selfish, but yes I am under a non-disclosure agreement.

And to be fair to the other individual who questioned me, just because I no longer am on the payroll of the company does not mean I am not involved and have terminated contact with the company.

So it might be in people's best interest to let this unfold for a little while before the flood of comments about RedOctane's motives or practices. Otherwise, you may be eating your words sooner rather than later.

Anyway, I'm glad that everyone is talking about me now. Let's keep that train running.
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gL.Karl · Trick Member Joined: 27 Jan 2004

Flazh · Trick Member Joined: 09 Oct 2003 Location: Leeds, England

Catastrophe · Trick Member Joined: 04 Mar 2002 Location: Worcester, MA

Oh I see. RO is upset primarily because of trademark reasons. They take issue with how this guy makes his guitars look legit, as opposed to looking third party. They also accuse him of unfair competition (false advertising, and that long list of other things). Okie dokie.

*looks at his Red Octane Ignition 2.0* (link)

Sweet Potato · Trick Member Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Location: Sexy

This is a shame. Yet it is hilarious shame.

zdemigoth · Trick Member Joined: 05 Oct 2002

We can only hope the Konami lawsuit will bite RO in the ass.

BustAGroovey · Trick Member Joined: 16 Jan 2006 Location: Maryland

Bemani Dog · Trick Member Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Location: Orlando, FL

0rion · Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 5:09 am Post subject:

Nintendo should sue Sony and Microsoft for making a controller with shoulder buttons. Shoulder buttons are the exclusive property of Nintendo of America, and can not be used without Shigiru Miyamoto's expressed, written consent.