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Posts Tagged “Derivative Versions”

Madden Creator to Sue EA

4 April, 2011 by

For many the name Robin Antonick means very little; however, if he is successful his name will forever be associated with Electronic Arts, Madden and the person who brought a multi-billion dollar company to court and won.

Antonick filed for a law suit in California on Wednesday demanding that Electronic Arts be trialled by jury under claims that he has been cut from the Madden franchise fortune. The claimant is suing on the grounds of a breach of contract that he allegedly signed in 1986.

Atonick claims that the contract states that he should be entitled to some of the royalties generated on derivative versions of the “Madden” games. The 1988 Madden title on the Commodore 64, DOS and Apple II formats is credited to him and although he accepts that there has been a large change in the technical elements of the title, he claims to be owed royalties dating back to 1992.

“Only recently, as a result of publicity surrounding the 20th Anniversary of the ‘Madden’ videogame did Antonick become aware that Electronic Arts did not independently develop subsequent versions of its Madden NFL software,” says the complaint. “Instead, according to recent statements by Electronic Arts founder Trip Hawkins, the current generation of software apparently derived from software developed by Antonick.”

Antonick is seeking tens of millions of owed royalties, plus a portion of all profits from sales due to the allegedly fraudulent behaviour. Over the years the franchise has reaped more than $4 billion.

Source: Reuters