Nintendo Sues SongBoy.Com
By rdemott2
Created 06/14/2000 - 00:00
files/pictures/picture-35.jpgNintendo of America Inc. has filed an infringement complaint against SongBoy.Com, a minority-owned company that has developed a digital multimedia player plug-in module that transforms the Nintendo Gameboy player into a CD-like music player. SongBoy.Com offered Nintendo a deal to become a licensee but was denied. SongBoy.Com claims that Nintendo's lawsuit is not valid and is a harassment measure. "Our legal team has taken great measures to ensure that we have in no way violated the Nintendo patent and trademark. We view their proposed lawsuit as an attempt to stifle our entry into the marketplace," stated Mark Bush, CMO of SongBoy.Com. As part of Rev. Jesse Jackson's Rainbow/Push Coalition, an organization that seeks to create and promote opportunities for women and minorities as a means of expanding the American economy. SongBoy is receiving support from the Reverend. In a letter to Nintendo executives, Jackson said, "I am concerned about the lack of consideration that Nintendo has given to expanding opportunities for African American entrepreneurs and businesses. The African American community is a great supporter of Nintendo's products, with the GameBoy color unit selling to at least 65% of African American households. We would hope that Nintendo would welcome a partnership with an African American company." Ron L. Jones, CEO of SongBoy.Com and inventor of the SongBoy, said, "You go to school to learn how to play the corporate game. But the powers that be try to stop you at every turn. There's no way that we are going to discontinue our SongBoy.Com product. We are not going to let Nintendo stop our contribution of making digital music devices affordable. We like to think that our product, by turning the GameBoy into a musical player, offers a peaceful alternative to the many computer games filled with violent imagery. In addition, it is a component that is not only affordable, but can be embraced by the entire family." The SongBoy.Com is positioned to retail for $80.00.
