Vince Zampella and Jason West's Case Against Activision Going to Trial

My dream is coming true, guys.

When Infinity Ward co-founders Vince Zampella and Jason West split from Activision in 2010, things got ugly and lawsuits were filed. The lingering question over the ordeal has been whether the parties involved would settle out of court. According to The Hollywood Reporter, however, a judge has ruled the duo has sufficient claims and the lawsuit is headed to trial.

That said, a settlement could still happen, but if neither side decides to back down, we could be looking at a trial later this year or early next. In which case, I'll be booking a flight to Los Angeles very soon, purchasing a fancy fedora hat, and employing Olly Moss to do my courtroom sketches.

Wonder if we'll finally get to hear some of the background truth on this.

Why are people suing eachother. Can't we all just get along?

We're going to need some Max Payne level narration/monologuing from you on this one, Klepek.

Oh god I want this to happen so bad! It would be fascinating.

Get me a livestream and some popcorn!

I read that title like they were against Activision going to court :|

If West and Zampella win the suit, would Modern Warfare 3 cease to exist?
 
I don't know much about legal stuff

How riveting.

This should have been settled out of court, what's 30 odd million dollars to Activision. Are the duo's claims only the money that they are owed or are they going for more?

Somehow, I don't care about this as much as I did a year ago.

They are seeking the IP for "Modern Warfare" in addition to Money.  Depending on when it goes to court I would thinking stopping MW3 would be possible.  Would be interesting to see if they file an injunction to prevent it's release in November.

Olly Moss doing courtroom sketches? I'm in!

@Applederp: I doubt they would do that to their former colleagues.

Hahaha, I was like man how would that work.....and then an epiphany of epic poster concepts flashed through my mind.

I know this piece is short. But the attached image of Modern Warfare 3 is...uhm. I don't know, whatever.

Also whats up with this portion of The Hollywood Reporter piece you linked to:

"In March, Superior Court judge Elihu Berle ruled that Activision had sufficient claims against Electronic Arts."

I had no idea that happened. Do you think it will hurt or help the claims West and Zampella are making?

The only people going to make any money out of these lawsuits are the lawyers.

@Tober said:

Why are people suing eachother. Can't we all just get along?

cuz acti decided to try to fuck their devs?

I wouldn't be surprised if this just gets tied up in court limbo though with constant delays and nothing ever getting resolved.  If it actually does, in fact, get into the courtroom and they get to battle, I'll be curious to see how things go down.

@cartvader said:

They are seeking the IP for "Modern Warfare" in addition to Money. Depending on when it goes to court I would thinking stopping MW3 would be possible. Would be interesting to see if they file an injunction to prevent it's release in November.

Wonder if the subtitle on the game of just calling it "MW3" in branding as opposed to "Modern Warfare 3" so far was trying to tippytoe around that, just in case.

Wake me up in a year.

If you need someone to fill the role of Jimmy Olsen to your Clark Kent while you're in LA, I'll be your man. Or should I say boy?

Olly Moss FTW

@Winternet said:

Olly Moss doing courtroom sketches? I'm in!

Love it!

I want OJ trial type TV news Standups!  Standing out front of the court house telling us that nothing has happened today!

@Nonentity: They certainly appeared beforehand to be moving MW into it's own series, and are now backpedaling. Not even a full sub-title, just MW3.

I assume that Activision feel they have to take on this case, regardless how slim the odds, to deter any future staff jumping ship.

@White_Silhouette said:

The only people going to make any money out of these lawsuits are the lawyers.

Actually all sides stand to gain a significant amount. Activision would get continued rights to carry on sucking the COD franchise dry if they won, West and Zampella would stand to gain several million dollars of backpay and also ALL profits that Activision gained via the MW extension of the COD franchise and the rights to all future use of the MW name and it's tropes.

You were definitely right about the lawyers though.

@Applederp said:

If West and Zampella win the suit, would Modern Warfare 3 cease to exist? I don't know much about legal stuff

@Cold_Wolven said:

This should have been settled out of court, what's 30 odd million dollars to Activision. Are the duo's claims only the money that they are owed or are they going for more?

West and Zampella are suing for control of the Modern Warfare brand, along with damages. They would theoretically have the right to block release of MW3 or take creative control over it, or demand vastly higher royalties to allow Activision to go ahead as planned.

Can not wait to see what happens.

Please let this got to court, it's the only way the truth (or whatever passes for it in a courtroom) is ever getting out.

I can't see this going to trial until AFTER MW3 is released. Or they will settle out of court to prevent any injunctions that may be given by a judge.

War of the Douche-bags, commence!

@White_Silhouette said:

The only people going to make any money out of these lawsuits are the lawyers.

Fact.

Heck yeah, televise that shit.

I don't think there is anything I could care less about than this.

I'm sure this case will be resolved quickly and amicably.  
 

I don't think there is anything I could care less about than this.

:)

So will this be on CourtTV?

How crazy (and awesome) would it be if they won? That they owned the rights to the Modern Warfare series?

I believe this would mean that they would have to be paid royalties for MW3, and it would also mean Activision can't make any more MW without licensing it, /or/ it could mean a MW made by a publisher other than Activision.

... Cue the "correct/incorrect answer jingles" from LA Noire? Would liven up a court case no end.

If you need someone to fill the role of Jimmy Olsen to your Clark Kent while you're in LA, I'll be your man. Or should I say boy?

God speed Patrick, god speed. :D

@Eujin said:

How crazy (and awesome) would it be if they won? That they owned the rights to the Modern Warfare series?

I believe this would mean that they would have to be paid royalties for MW3, and it would also mean Activision can't make any more MW without licensing it, /or/ it could mean a MW made by a publisher other than Activision.

i will never say never. though unlikely. in this case we always find our selfs rooting for the underdog no matter how preposterous. If they were to win the COD franchise it would not kill activision but it would take them down a few notches. most likely Kotick would be asked to leave the company by the shareholders as well.

@Jackel2072: Yes. I don't think anything will kill Activision, short of Blizzard splitting off again.

PLEASE GET OLLY MOSS TO DO THOSE SKETCHES!!!! 

Team Zampella and West!