Atari Interactive has filed a $30 million lawsuit in a California district court against Tommo Inc., alleging that the toy distributor knowingly sold knockoffs of its Flashback 2 console. According to the complaint filed by Atari and acquired by Gamasutra, Tommo sold "wholesale quantities of unauthorized and pirated copies of Atari software and Atari Flashback 2 consoles."
The Flashback 2 was released in 2005 as a plug-and-play direct-to-TV console shaped like a 2600 console. The Flashback came packed with forty games. In 2006 Atari discontinued the system after selling over 860,000 units.
Knock-offs sold by various companies are usually identical to the original Flashback units, offering the same style of packaging, design and packed-in games.
According to Flashback creator Legacy Engineering, "illegal manufacturers" were probably able to obtain the original's source files and plastic molds for the Flashback.
However these products were created, Atari wants satisfaction. the company is seeking undisclosed monetary damages from Tommo. Gamasutra speculates that it could ask for as much as $150,000 for each of its infringed copyrights. the company is claiming that at least 80 of its copyrights have been violated.
Source: Gamasutra
