The lights are on
The legal battle between Activision and former employees Jason West and Vince Zampella has grabbed the headlines, but other ex-Infinity Ward developers are also looking for their day in court and a settlement. Activision just paid out $42 million to the Infinity Ward Employee Group without being told to do so, but is this the end of the legal acrimony?
The group, which originally consisted of 38 plaintiffs, was seeking royalty payments for their work on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (above). According to Polygon, Activision's recent $42 million payment, however, may be just the beginning. The Infinity Ward Employee Group is seeking $75 to $125 million, as well as up to $500 million in punitive damages. Since Activision's $42 million wasn't the result of an actual settlement, the group's lawyer says that they can still pursue more money.
Activision CEO Bobby Kotick reportedly made the payment because the company determined that since the actions of the Infinity Ward Employee Group weren't related to the actions of West and Zampella, Activision decided to pay the group a sum that Activision felt the group was owed.
All the legal actions between Activision, the Employee Group, and West/Zampella are ongoing.
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So much money
Oh now they start caring about their developers.
bleh
Wow activision paid them part of the royalties they owed their employees. How gracious of them!
zampella and west will lose this battle. they breached their contract.
Interesting to see what is going to come out of the West and Zampella case.
I think this is stupid. Honestly i feel the whole situation should be in the trash. But that's just me.
So that's what? Like....2 weeks worth of Skylanders sales? ;)
Activision is ***
Nice move Activision! I Hope you don't lose all your money! (sarcasm)
You'd really think I'd congratulate you for that Activison?! Wrong!!!!
Oh trolling Activision is a thing that puts a smile to my face! LOL!!
By making payment, activation just conceded tha the group was owed money and in the right. If the group has legitimate proof that this payment is far from the actual amount owed the, activision may be screwed. Sounds like the generous act of a company with a guilty conscience.
As long as Price is in your next game or the story is bombastic infinity ward, and you innovate your multiplayer for the next generation, I will always be loyal to you.
Wow, can can anyone say...bonus! Hope they put that money to good work though and start new projects.
That's a lot of money. I wish I had that kind of money.