Lawsuit:
Lewis Galoob Toys (Plantiff) V. NINTENDO OF AMERICA INC. AND NINTENDO
CO., LTD., (Defendant) - Game Genie
Introduction
Galoob received
the rights to a device called GameMage in '90. GameMage, later
renamed to Game Genie, altered gameplay by allowing 3 code inputs
to manipulate games into giving infinite items, health, etc. Nintendo,
feeling threatened by the accessory, contacted Galoob to stop
production. Galoob offered to make their device an official license,
but Nintendo refused. It was taken to court in April of '91.
Court
Summary
Nintendo tried
to make their case out that the Game Genie altered, essentially
hacked, copyrighted software. They also claimed a negative effect
to the video game market and sales.
Conclusion
Judge Fern
Smith did not buy Nintendo's take and charged them $15 million
for Galoob's loss of sales.
