Activision Sues Video-Game Rival Electronic Arts Over Alleged Poaching
Activision Blizzard (ATVI) is suing video-game rival Electronic Arts(ERTS) as part of a $400 million countersuit against two former executives of "Call of Duty" creator Infinity Ward, The Associated Press reported Thursday. Activision alleges that EA tried to poach the executives, Jason West and Vince Zampella, two years before their Activision contracts were set to expire.
The countersuit comes in response to a $36 million lawsuit that West and Zampella -- who have since formed their own company, which publishes games exclusively for EA -- filed against Activision last year. In that claim, the two executives alleged that Activision fired them in order to avoid paying royalties on "Call of Duty," according to the AP.
Those royalties might be worth suing over. Last month, Activision said that the latest "Call of Duty" title, "Call of Duty: Black Ops," had surpassed $1 billion in global sales in just six weeks after its November release, making it the fastest-selling video game in history.
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