Activision vs. EA: The Next Epic Videogame Battle will be in the Courtroom

It seems that for 2012, the biggest videogame battle won’t be available for Xbox, Wii, or PS3.  However, it will be available for those of us who enjoy following legal battles in the entertainment industry.

This is because Activision has recently sent out a press release stating that the Los Angeles Superior Court has dismissed a motion from Electronic Arts (EA); a decision that allows Activision to move forward with a $400 million lawsuit against EA.

Specifically, the press release states that “at a hearing held yesterday, December 21, 2012, Judge Elihu Berle denied EA’s motion, finding that the evidence presented by Activision supplied a basis for a jury to potentially conclude both that EA had intentionally interfered with Activision’s employment agreements with former Call of Duty game developers, Jason West and Vince Zampella, and that EA had aided and abetted West and Zampella’s breach of fiduciary duties to Activision.  A related summary judgment motion put forth by West and Zampella was also denied.”

If you have the desire, you can learn more about the case by clicking here for some of the legal documentation filed in 2010.

The press release also goes on to states that “in the suit Activision alleges that West and Zampella breached their contracts and duty of loyalty to Activision by conduct that was insubordinate and otherwise improper and that West and Zampella’s misconduct was caused, at least in part, by EA’s unlawful tampering.  A jury trial in the case is scheduled to begin on May 7, 2012.”

Overall, it seems that the case stems from Activision believing that Vince Zampella and Jason West – two of three co-founders of the Infinity Ward, the studio that made Call of Duty – conspired with EA to violate their contractual obligations with Activision.  And with close to a half-billion on the line, it seems that all sides are fighting for keeps.

Now this is what Activision claims, but I want to know what your thoughts are about this legal battle.  Do you feel EA did something wrong, or do you feel that Activision is overreaching?

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