EA Sues Zynga For Copying Sims Game

Social game developer Zynga has been on the receiving end of complaints in the past for releasing games that look a bit too much like games from indie developers, and for other shady business practices. Now, they've run afoul of somebody with sharper teeth. Today Electronic Arts and Maxis filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Zynga claiming that The Ville is "blatant mimicry" of The Sims Social. "'This is a case of principle,' says EA Maxis general manager Lucy Bradshaw. 'Maxis isn't the first studio to claim that Zynga copied its creative product. But we are the studio that has the financial and corporate resources to stand up and do something about it. Infringing a developer's copyright is not an acceptable practice in game development.' In its complaint, EA argues that Zynga willfully and intentionally copied ideas from The Sims Social, the Facebook edition of the EA/Maxis franchise that released in August 2011. When Zynga released The Ville last June, consumers and the press immediately pointed out that the title resembled The Sims more than a little."

Only the start

[T Murphy]

I, for one, hope that EA doesn't stop at Zynga in its pursuit of game publishers that lazily copy EA's games, instead of coming up with new ideas. That's right, I'm looking at you, EA, you better watch out as EA is coming after you next!

Re:Prior Art

[Jahava]

EA can't claim to be the originator of online People/Life Simulations because of these programs released in the mid-80s (on Commodore 64):

home: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Computer_People [wikipedia.org] Online: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habitat_(video_game) [wikipedia.org] Sequel: http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=habitat+club+caribe [bing.com]

You sneaky jerk! Now I can no longer honestly say I've never used Bing.

Re:Rules

[Internetuser1248]

I don't see why you'd hate Zynga more than copyright law. Don't play Zynga games and they don't affect you. You can't opt out of copyright law.

This is the thing, as an indy game developer myself I find it hard to decide which I hate more. I can imagine the anger I would feel if I had a popular game and it was ripped off and all my customers stolen by assholes like zynga who never contributed anything to the gaming world in their life.
On the other hand if zynga loses this case it might set a dangerous precedent. My own work is generally inspired by something else, all artists plagiarise to some degree. It is clear to people who appreciate good games who is bringing new innovation to an old abandoned idea, and who is ripping off other people's ip to milk profit from it. But codifying that in law is not an easy task. The ideal outcome in my opinion is that EA and zynga both put each other out of business with massive legal costs, and then all simultaneously drop dead from heart attacks. I guess the ideal realistic outcome is that zynga wins the court case but the bad publicity damages their reputation to such a degree that they gradually fade away. I know that is also not very realistic, people who like zynga games are not usually smart enough to understand a complex issue like this.

Re:I Hate Zynga, But...

[dzfoo]

Your story sounds vaguely familiar... Are there also Nizguls and Ring Wreaths, and a damned creature called Goellum? Because I think I've read it!

Re:Rules

[Dunbal]

Nah he doesn't get invited to parties. But then again, neither do you.

Re:Prior Art

[Dunbal]

It's only a sin if you consented to it. Just delete your cache and do 5 backups of your hard drive and you'll be absolved.

Re:Rules

[Anonymous Coward]

Sounds pretty similar to the Apple vs Samsung issue to me. Hopefully Apple will win and so will EA.