Since getting sued by EA over a month ago, Zynga has been relatively quiet about the publisher\u2019s allegations that The Ville was a blatant copy of EA\u2019s game, The Sims Social. To rub salt in the wound, The Ville swiftly overtook The Sims Social in Facebook player numbers.<\/p>\n
Zynga has now responded by not only denying the allegations, but also filing a counter-suit against the publishing giant, accusing EA of violating anti-trust laws.<\/p>\n
Zynga has filed a three-part claim; the first part aiming to negate parts of EA\u2019s claim that Zynga believes are “redundant, immaterial, impertinent and\/or scandalous matter that is unfairly prejudicial to Zynga.” According to Zynga, similarities between the games are coincidental as they are both \u201clife simulation\u201d games, and these standard elements are not covered by copyright law.<\/p>\n
Zynga\u2019s counter-suit claims that EA CEO John Riccitiello is trying to establish an illegal \u201cno-hire\u201d agreement with Zynga that would prevent the social gaming juggernaut from headhunting EA\u2019s employees. According to the filing, the CEO was upset by so many of his employees jumping ship and had now \u201cgone on the war path\u201d to put a stop to it. According to Zynga, EA\u2019s lawsuit is an attempt to do exactly that.<\/p>\n
EA has made an official response, unsurprisingly denying Zynga\u2019s allegations.<\/p>\n
“This is a predictable subterfuge aimed at diverting attention from Zynga’s persistent plagiarism of other artists and studios. Zynga would be better served trying to hold onto the shrinking number of employees they’ve got, rather than suing to acquire more.”]<\/p>\n
Related articles<\/strong><\/p>\n EA: \u201cStealing someone else\u2019s game is Zynga\u2019s well-known playbook\u201d<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n EA takes Zynga to court over Facebook game similarities<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Zynga\u2019s shares plummet; insider trading suspected<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Zynga sues competitor for using the word \u201cVille\u201d<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n EA CEO: \u201cZynga has lapped us three times\u201d<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n