It looks like Konami is at it again with lawsuits in the waging war of the music game economy. This time its against Viacom and Harmonix over the Rock Band series. No word on how this’ll effect the development of Rock Band 2.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601101&sid=aHQODoKwFYrA

From the article…

Konami Corp., the Japanese creator of the “Dance Dance Revolution” music video game, sued Viacom Inc.’s Harmonix studio, claiming its “Rock Band” game violates patents.

The Konami patents, issued in 2002 and 2003, relate to simulated musical instruments, a music-game system and a “musical-rhythm matching game.” Konami also makes the “Karaoke Revolution” music game with microphones, as well as the “Metal Gear Solid” espionage game.

Konami is demanding cash compensation, plus an order that would block Viacom and Harmonix from using the inventions, according to the complaint, filed yesterday in federal court in Marshall, Texas. The suit names Harmonix Music Systems, Viacom, and Viacom’s MTV Networks Co., which owns Harmonix.