Lawsuit: Lewis Galoob Toys (Plantiff) V. NINTENDO OF AMERICA INC. AND NINTENDO CO., LTD., (Defendant) – Game Genie

Lawsuit: Lewis Galoob Toys (Plantiff) V. NINTENDO OF AMERICA INC. AND NINTENDO CO., LTD., (Defendant) – Game Genie

Introduction

Galoob received the rights to a device called GameMage in ’90. GameMage, later renamed to Game Genie, altered gameplay by allowing 3 code inputs to manipulate games into giving infinite items, health, etc. Nintendo, feeling threatened by the accessory, contacted Galoob to stop production. Galoob offered to make their device an official license, but Nintendo refused. It was taken to court in April of ’91.

Court Summary

Nintendo tried to make their case out that the Game Genie altered, essentially hacked, copyrighted software. They also claimed a negative effect to the video game market and sales.

Conclusion

Judge Fern Smith did not buy Nintendo’s take and charged them $15 million for Galoob’s loss of sales.


-Source: The Ultimate History of Video Games, Steven Kent