Two years ago this week, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) filed suit against the publishers of its games, THQ, Jakks Pacific, and their joint venture THQ/Jakks Pacific LLC, as well as a number of individuals working for or with the companies. That suit alleged that the defendants conspired to unfairly win the WWE license agreement, resorting to racketeering and bribes in order to land the coveted deal after the wrestling company"s license with Acclaim expired.
That case is still making its way through the courts, but THQ announced that the WWE filed another suit against the companies last week, this time alleging improper sales of WWE games in Japan and other Asian countries. Like the original legal action, the new suit seeks monetary damages and a declaration that the WWE can terminate its licensing agreement with THQ, Jakks Pacific, and THQ/Jakks Pacific. Both THQ and the joint company have said the suit is without merit and that they will fight it.
The legal battles haven"t stopped the companies from working together in the meantime, however. THQ is set to release WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2007 on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation Portable next month.