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Hasbro/WOTC sues Atari over D&D
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Author:  Skunkeen [ Thu Dec 17, 2009 4:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Hasbro/WOTC sues Atari over D&D

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3177372

Dungeons & Dragons Online gained some serious momentum after Atari and developer Turbine relaunched the MMO and switched it to a free-to-play business model earlier this year. Not all is well for D&D Online, however; CNN Money reports that Hasbro, parent company of Wizards of the Coast and owner of the Dungeons & Dragons license, has filed a complaint with the District Court of Rhode Island against Atari. The allegations: Fraud, as well as five separate breaches of their licensing agreement.

So what specific wrongdoing does Hasbro accuse Atari of committing? When Atari sold off their European operations to Namco Bandai earlier this year, they entered into an agreement with the Japanese publisher (and Hasbro competitor) to distribute Atari products (including D&D Online) outside the U.S. until the year 2014. And according to Hasbro, this agreement violates their contract with Atari.

"While unfortunate that we had to take this action, it is crucial for us to protect the Dungeons & Dragons brand," explained Wizards of the Coast president Gred Leeds. "We have been working for several months now to reach resolution with Atari, and they have left us with no other choice than to pursue legal action."

Atari sent us their response to the allegations this morning:

"Atari has had a long and rich history with the Dungeons & Dragons franchise, investing millions of dollars into numerous critically acclaimed and commercially successful games that have generated significant revenue for Hasbro. Hasbro has resorted to these meritless allegations, in an apparent attempt to unfairly take back rights granted to Atari. Atari has sought to resolve the matter without cooperation from Hasbro. We regret that our long-time partner has decided to pursue this action. Atari will respond appropriately through its legal counsel in court."

Author:  Ashercon [ Fri Dec 18, 2009 5:56 pm ]
Post subject: 

Crap!

Posted with TouchBB on my iPhone

Author:  Dragonstar [ Mon Dec 21, 2009 12:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hasbro/WOTC sues Atari over D&D

Marvelous. Just marvelous. :?

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