Both Sides Claiming Victory In DJ Game Legal Battle News

Following last week's legal controversy surrounding the Scratch: The Ultimate DJ game, the opposing parties in the ongoing lawsuit have now published statements that directly contradict each other and the findings of the Los Angeles Superior Court. 

Genius Products and Numark (the companies behind the Scratch: The Ultimate DJ venture), announced the following in a press release yesterday: "the Los Angeles County Superior Court has granted it a temporary restraining order in its lawsuit against Activision Publishing, Inc."

This directly contradicts assertions made by Activision in a similar statement last week, which reads: "the L.A. Superior Court found that there was no evidence of any wrongdoing by Activision and refused to grant any restraining order against Activision."

These statements follow legal action that was brought against Activision by Genius Products and Numark, who alleged that Activision had been trying to stall the development and acquire trade secrets of Scratch: The Ultimate DJ from its contracted developer, 7 Studio.

To further muddy the waters of this legal fracas, Activision acquired 7 Studio earlier this month after Genius and Numark originally turned down what it says were "multi-million dollar offers" from Activision for the Scratch: the Ultimate DJ game project.

Activision is currently developing its own DJ rhythm game, DJ Hero, and both games have previously been slated for 2009 releases.

Genius Products and Numark further detailed the findings (as they see them) of the LA Superior Court in yesterday's press statement:

"Despite arguments from Activision's counsel, the Court clearly concluded that the source code was the property of Scratch DJ Game LLC. The Court also granted an injunction preventing 7 Studios from disclosing or discussing the game code or Scratch trade secrets with Activision or any other third party . . . Activision is now "walled off" by the Court's order from discussing Scratch or its game code or confidential information with its own subsidiary."

Genius and Numark went on to say that they will continue their legal action against Activision by pursuing damages for Activision and 7 Studio's alleged attempts "to delay and take over the Scratch game".

We've contacted Activision for comment and are currently awaiting a response.