Scratch: The Ultimate DJ Publisher Sues Activision

15 Apr 2009 at 12:59:59 by Tim McDonald

It appears Scratch: The Ultimate DJ publisher Genius Products is suing DJ Hero publisher Activision.

According to Shacknews, the lawsuit is due to "intentional interference with contract, breach of contract, conversion and misappropriation of trade secrets."

Genius Products, along with Scratch's peripheral manufacturer Numark Industries, claims that Activision purchased Scratch developer 7 Studios to benefit its own forthcoming DJ Hero game.

According to the lawsuit, Activision and 7 Studios "conspired to withhold the current version of Scratch in an effort to delay the development and release of Scratch and to gain access to proprietary technology."

The press release from Genius and Numark reads: "Prior to undertaking these wrongful actions, Activision approached Genius with an offer to acquire Scratch. The offer was rejected. It is alleged that Activision then commenced the process of acquiring Genius' contract developer, 7 Studios, while under a non-disclosure and confidentiality agreement with Genius. It is also alleged that after Activision acquired 7 Studios, the two companies began conspiring to prevent Scratch from getting to market on a timely basis by withholding work product, code and the proprietary game controller.

Genius Products' president and CEO, Trevor Drinkwater, stated "We believe that Activision realises the tremendous opportunity that our game, Scratch, represents to the video game industry, the retail marketplace and the consumer. After demonstrating our game, pursuant to the confidentiality agreement with Activision, we believe Activision concluded that Scratch: the Ultimate DJ is a superior offering to their prospective game, DJ Hero."

Activision has yet to comment on the allegations.

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