Infinity Ward Employees Sue Activision for Royalties
38 staff claim publisher is holding them "hostage" to make Modern Warfare 3.
Are we done with this Infinity Ward drama yet? Of course not! This morning, 38 former and current employees of the beleaguered Modern Warfare 2 studio filed a lawsuit against publisher and owner Activision for unpaid bonuses and royalties.
Collectively titled the "Infinity Ward Employee Group," (IWEG) the plaintiffs in the case argue that Activision has withheld the developer's share of the profits from Modern Warfare 2. According to the filing, the publisher has delivered $28 million to employees already, but still owes at least $54 million from profits made in 2009 alone.
The legal statement also accuses Activision of holding employees "hostage, so that Activision could reap the benefit of the completion of Modern Warfare 3." Bold stuff.
"Activision has a duty to pay all of the members of the IWEG all of the money they are owed [...] within 72 hours of the termination of their employment," the lawsuit continues. "Activision, however, has failed to do so."
The IWEG is seeking between $75 million and $125 million in damages. Activision has responded, saying that the publisher refutes the claim and is "without merit. Activision retains the discretion to determine the amount and the schedule of bonus payments for MW2 and has acted consistent with its rights and the law at all times. We look forward to getting judicial confirmation that our position is right."
This situation just isn't getting any easier, is it?
Via G4
Collectively titled the "Infinity Ward Employee Group," (IWEG) the plaintiffs in the case argue that Activision has withheld the developer's share of the profits from Modern Warfare 2. According to the filing, the publisher has delivered $28 million to employees already, but still owes at least $54 million from profits made in 2009 alone.
The legal statement also accuses Activision of holding employees "hostage, so that Activision could reap the benefit of the completion of Modern Warfare 3." Bold stuff.
"Activision has a duty to pay all of the members of the IWEG all of the money they are owed [...] within 72 hours of the termination of their employment," the lawsuit continues. "Activision, however, has failed to do so."
The IWEG is seeking between $75 million and $125 million in damages. Activision has responded, saying that the publisher refutes the claim and is "without merit. Activision retains the discretion to determine the amount and the schedule of bonus payments for MW2 and has acted consistent with its rights and the law at all times. We look forward to getting judicial confirmation that our position is right."
This situation just isn't getting any easier, is it?
Via G4
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