Konami claims that their patents regarding some of their rhythm games are infringed by Rock Band's instruments. Harmonix responds by calling it "baseless litigation."
Konami Corp. is suing Viacom Inc.'s Harmonix because, according to Konami, Harmonix's Rock Band game and instruments break patents that Konami filed in 2002 and 2003 for the games Guitar Freaks, Drummania, and Pop'n Music. Konami is demanding cash compensation and an order that would block the three named companies, Viacom, Harmonix, and MTV Games, from using their peripherals and game.
MTV and Harmonix responded the next day and said that their successful product is an apt target for "baseless litigation." They followed that statement up by saying that they "have substantial defenses to this claim and intend to vigorously defend it."
The official case designation is Konami Digital Entertainment Co. v. Harmonix Music Systems Inc., 08cv286, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (Marshall).