I’ll start this post off by saying:

GIBSON GUITARS YOU ARE LAME! I’M GLAD I OWN AN IBANEZ!

I am so sick of people filing a patent and then just laying in wait to see if someone creates something that infringes on that so they can sue.

For example I just recently read this article about a possible AJAX suit.

And we all remember the classic Active X lawsuit that really messed up the way Flash is displayed.

So apparently 10 years ago Gibson patented the idea of a 3D recording of a live concert that would be viewed through virtual reality goggles strapped to the head of the gamer. The gamer would then play a real instrument and be part of the concert action.

They are now trying to sue Activision, Harmonix and everyone else involved in Rock Band and Guitar Hero.
Read the article >>

Now- sure the ideas are similar, but there are some big differences; the virtual reality idea, the live concert recording idea, and the fact that the Gibson patent mentions (according to the article) real instruments, not game controllers. The Gibson idea seems like more of a way to jam live with a group, without actually having a group.

Sure I can understand Gibson kicking themselves for not acting on this patent, but to wait 3 years until the games are huge and then try to sue for a piece is lame.

Even lamer is the fact that Gibson is also trying to sue stores that are selling Rock Band and Guitar Hero. I understand how patents can be valuable and why they are important. I also realize that the vast majority of patents don’t end up this way. Still it happens enough to get me all fired up.

Companies or individuals thinking of pursuing this kind of lawsuit should look at sue-happy Metallica and how stupid everyone thinks they are now. They are the butt of tons of jokes and online spoofs and haven’t had a good album in years. Hopefully all these future rockers getting their start on Guitar Hero will think twice before buying a Gibson…