Epic Games strikes back: Silicon Knights’ claims make no sense

Some of us still remember Silicon Knights‘ move to sue Epic Games for Fraud, Misrepresentation, Unfair Competition, Breach of Contract and other allegations. Epic vice president Mark Rein was quoted saying “the claims against us are unfounded and without merit, and we intend to fully defend against them.” Epic Games finally retaliates, filing a counterclaim in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

Silicon Knights’ legal documents stated that Epic sabotaged efforts on Too Human to make Gears of War shine at last year’s E3. According to Epic, SK was informed when they inked the deal that Unreal Engine 3 was still getting developed for GoW. Fingers are pointed at the Knights, who “decided to misappropriate Epic’s licensed technology.”

Epic also claims that SK “made unauthorized use of Epic’s Licensed Technology and has infringed and otherwise violated Epic’s intellectual property rights” when the “Silicon Knights Engine” revealed last year proved to use Epic’s licensed technology and even Unreal Engine 3’s code.

Silicon Knights had a long list of demands on their lawsuit, but Epic wants “injunctive relief, compensatory and punitive damages, the destruction of infringing goods, including infringing computer code, and attorney’s fees and costs.” Pay for compensation is expected to reach US$ 650,000.

Among the demands SK wanted from Epic is full access to Unreal Engine 3 code and the ability to alter it without restriction, while they wanted the license to the Engine to be null and void. Epic strikes back, sending out a memo that read:

This lawsuit is a cynical effort by SK to unlawfully enrich itself at the expense of Epic Games… After having exploited Epic’s intellectual property to its advantage, SK now seeks to renege on its payment obligations under the License Agreement. It is SK, not epic, that has engaged in deceit, infringement of Epic’s intellectual property rights, breach of contract and unfair business practices.

The memo added that SK saying Epic sabotaged the company’s ability to make games is nonsense. More high quality games developed using Unreal Engine 3 and better sales for SK ultimately benefits Epic, which provides no reason why Epic would hinder SK’s success. Epic now asks the court to dismiss the complaint.

Some of us still remember Silicon Knights‘ move to sue Epic Games for Fraud, Misrepresentation, Unfair Competition, Breach of Contract and other allegations. Epic vice president Mark Rein was quoted saying “the claims against us are unfounded and without merit, and we intend to fully defend against them.” Epic Games finally retaliates, filing a counterclaim in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

Silicon Knights’ legal documents stated that Epic sabotaged efforts on Too Human to make Gears of War shine at last year’s E3. According to Epic, SK was informed when they inked the deal that Unreal Engine 3 was still getting developed for GoW. Fingers are pointed at the Knights, who “decided to misappropriate Epic’s licensed technology.”

Epic also claims that SK “made unauthorized use of Epic’s Licensed Technology and has infringed and otherwise violated Epic’s intellectual property rights” when the “Silicon Knights Engine” revealed last year proved to use Epic’s licensed technology and even Unreal Engine 3’s code.

Silicon Knights had a long list of demands on their lawsuit, but Epic wants “injunctive relief, compensatory and punitive damages, the destruction of infringing goods, including infringing computer code, and attorney’s fees and costs.” Pay for compensation is expected to reach US$ 650,000.

Among the demands SK wanted from Epic is full access to Unreal Engine 3 code and the ability to alter it without restriction, while they wanted the license to the Engine to be null and void. Epic strikes back, sending out a memo that read:

This lawsuit is a cynical effort by SK to unlawfully enrich itself at the expense of Epic Games… After having exploited Epic’s intellectual property to its advantage, SK now seeks to renege on its payment obligations under the License Agreement. It is SK, not epic, that has engaged in deceit, infringement of Epic’s intellectual property rights, breach of contract and unfair business practices.

The memo added that SK saying Epic sabotaged the company’s ability to make games is nonsense. More high quality games developed using Unreal Engine 3 and better sales for SK ultimately benefits Epic, which provides no reason why Epic would hinder SK’s success. Epic now asks the court to dismiss the complaint.