Konami has sued Harmonix claiming that Rock Band violates long-held patents. Oo-err!

Konami’s case is based on a couple of patents issued in 2002 and 2003 relating to simulated musical instruments a music game system and a “musical rhythm matching game”. Konami, of course, also used microphones in Karaoke Revolution and, if memory serves us, brought little plastic guitars and drum kits into play with GuitarFreaks and DrumMania late last century – i.e. long before Rock Band.

With all of the above in mind you’d think the most sensible course of action would be for Harmonix to admit defeat and make with the cheque book pronto. However, at the time of writing Viacom Inc., Harmonix’s parent company, has not had notice of the complaint and, with so much riding on Rock Band, it’s hardly likely that they’ll take Konami’s demands for cash compensation and to block Harmonix from using the patented inventions lying down.

In short, this is going to get messy – and, we guess, plenty expensive. Watch this space.