Share this on

WizKids sues Wizards over CSG patent

By Staff -- Gifts and Dec, 6/7/2007 5:23:00 PM

NEW YORK— Seattle-based collectible miniatures game maker WizKids has filed suit against trading card manufacturer Wizards of the Coast (WOTC), Bellevue, Wash., over WOTC's just-patented constructible strategy game system, according to representatives of both companies.

The mechanics of constructible strategy games (CSG) involve models that are disassembled or rebuilt with new parts as players lose or gain points during play. A U.S. patent was awarded to WOTC last month for its CSG designs, following an initial filing for patent protection of the play pattern in October 2003.

According to industry insiders familiar with the suit, WizKids is seeking a preemptive judgment in federal court that its Pirates of the Spanish Main trading card game, which includes constructible models of a type similar to the WOTC design, does not violate WOTC's patent. Specifically, WizKids alleges that the initial patent application was invalid since WOTC’s first game of this type, the Transformers 3-D battle card game, is only beginning to hit retail shelves this month, according to industry insiders.

Both WizKids marketing director Jennifer Berg and WOTC public relations specialist Caitlin Roulston confirmed the existence of the lawsuit to Playthings, although neither provided further details or comment. “We can’t comment on anything really around that as it is pending litigation,” Roulston noted.

The companies have been rivals for years, according to industry insiders. A year ago, WizKids CEO Jordan Weisman, who founded the company in 2000, stepped down and Lax Chandra, a veteran at WizKids’ parent company Topps, took his place. The company then hired Joe Hauck—the former vice president of brand marketing for WOTC—as executive vice president of sales, marketing and product development.

Share this on

Talkback

We would love your feedback!

Wizards patents new game play

May 22, 2007

Up Close: 2008 Forecast

Jan 1, 2008

Looking Back to Get Ahead

Jan 1, 2008

4Kids forms trading card, online game companies

Dec 11, 2006

Also by this author

»MORE

Featured Company

Wright Labels

Bill and Tom Wright founded Wright of Thomasville in 1961 on the idea that printing was a creative medium and the belief that "a promise made is a promise kept." The Wright brothers focused their attention on providing exceptional printing for the... more