Developer files suit against EA for allegedly stealing ideas

Electronic Arts is facing a legal battle after Pernell Harris, owner of independent development studio Virtual Jam, filed suit alleging that the publishing giant stole some of his ideas for game features.

The suit claims that EA met with VJ owner Pernell Harris in 2003 to talk about a new game concept he was developing, titled Heart of a Champion. The game was based around the idea of guiding a character through his career as he progressed from high school quarterback to professional athlete.

Harris now alleges that some of the features he came up with and discussed with EA have appeared in Madden NFL 2006, which was released back in August. He claims EA has breached an "implied fact contract" because it implemented features based on his ideas without offering compensation, and also argues that the publisher has violated a confidentiality agreement. Harris is suing for unspecified damages, plus legal fees and restitution.

An EA spokesperson told Reuters: "We have read the complaint and the allegations are completely without merit."