EA Sues Zynga for Copyright Infringement

Update: Zynga has responded to the lawsuit, providing IGN with the following statement from general counsel Reggie Davis:

“We are committed to creating the most fun, innovative, social and engaging games in every major genre that our players enjoy. The Ville is the newest game in our ‘ville’ franchise – it builds on every major innovation from our existing invest-and-express games dating back to YoVille and continuing through CityVille and CastleVille, and introduces a number of new social features and game mechanics not seen in social games today.

It’s unfortunate that EA thought that this was an appropriate response to our game, and clearly demonstrates a lack of understanding of basic copyright principles. It’s also ironic that EA brings this suit shortly after launching SimCity Social which bears an uncanny resemblance to Zynga’s CityVille game. Nonetheless, we plan to defend our rights to the fullest extent possible and intend to win with players.”

Original story follows:

EA has sued Zynga for copyright infringement. According to a complaint filed today, EA believes that with the development of The Ville, Zynga has “willfully and intentionally copied and misappropriated the original and distinctive expressive elements of The Sims Social in a violation of U.S. copyright laws.”

The Ville was announced in June and allows players to build a house and career, adjusting their appearance creating a life for themselves. EA believes that the idea copies The Sims Social, which includes similar elements and launched over a year earlier, in August 2011.

“When The Ville was introduced in June 2012, the infringement of The Sims Social was unmistakable to those of us at Maxis as well as to players and the industry at large,” said Lucy Bradshaw, general manager of EA’s Maxis label. “The similarities go well beyond any superficial resemblance. Zynga’s design choices, animations, visual arrangements and character motions and actions have been directly lifted from The Sims Social. The copying was so comprehensive that the two games are, to an uninitiated observer, largely indistinguishable.”

Bradshaw added that “By calling Zynga out on this illegal practice, we hope to have a secondary effect of protecting the rights of other creative studios who don’t have the resources to protect themselves. Today, we hope to be taking a stand that helps the industry protect the value of original creative works and those that work tirelessly to create them.”

This isn’t the first time Zynga has been accused of copying another game, following many disputes in recent months including a widely-distributed image accusing the company of copying Tiny Tower with its social game Dream Heights.

We’ve reached out to Zynga about the lawsuit and will update this story with any comment we receive.

Andrew Goldfarb is IGN’s associate news editor. Keep up with pictures of the latest food he’s been eating by following him on Twitter or IGN.

Source : ign[dot]com