THQ has sued Activision Blizzard for allegedly mimicking box art in an attempt to confuse and deceive consumers.
THQ said Activision's upcoming title, SCORE International Baja 1000: The Official Game has box art that is too close in similarity to THQ's September title Baja: Edge of Control.
The suit reads, "...Activision's impending use of packaging art [for its game] ... is likely to confuse, cause mistake or deceive the public into believing that the Activision Game originates or is sponsored or approved by THQ, when in fact it is not."
THQ, which holds copyrights for its box art, claimed that it has spent over $1 million on advertising, marketing and promotion of Baja: Edge of Control. The firm said the front and back of Activision's packaging is too similar.
The company is asking the court to enjoin the release of Activision's Baja title bearing the current artwork.
THQ also said it contacted Activision at the beginning of October about concerns over similarities between the box arts, and has written and spoken to the defendant on "several occasions." Activision has refused to change the packaging, according to THQ's complaint.
THQ said if Activision is not enjoined from the release of the allegedly offending box art and game, THQ will suffer "as yet unknown" damages and would "be entitled to Activision's profits from the sale of the Activision Game."
THQ also seeks attorneys' fees.
THQ said that it does not comment on legal matters. Activision had not responded to request for comment as of press time.
Thanks to Patent Arcade.

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lol Daniel
Wow! That's just blatant and shameless. It would be very easy for the casual (non-gamer) shopper to pick up the wrong game.
Reminds of all those non-Disney versions of animated films. Whenever a big Disney animated feature was released at your local video rental store, right next to it on the shelf would be a non-Disney version of the same story with similar looking cover art. This was blatant opportunistic leeching off the competing video's popularity.
Dear Santa.
What I want for Christmas this year is this XBOX 360 baja racing game. You can get it almost anywhere and can recognize its cover by the red truck up the front, with a blue truck behind it, and at the top of the picture it says 'baja' in orange/yellow like letters.
Will you get it for me, please? I wouldn't shoot any of your enslaved elves this year if you will!
Thank you.
Beste wishes,