Halo 2 packaging sparks legal battle with Microsoft

Glud and Marstrand (G&M) has filed a legal action in a Washington court, alleging that Microsoft broke NDAs and revealed exclusive packaging technology to a rival firm.

The Scandinavian company said that it had developed proprietary technology for the creation of metal DVD and CD packaging which is designed to open and lay flat, like a book. The company approached Microsoft in 2002 and a non-disclosure agreement was allegedly signed by Microsoft at that time. Intricate details of the techniques and design were then sent to Microsoft, G&M claims.

In 2003, Microsoft contacted G&M and informed the manufacturer that it wanted to use a metal case for the release of Xbox title, Halo 2. A request for proposal for a metal case was then sent to G&M, but, according to the legal filing, a request was also sent to plastics supplier Viva.

After Microsoft rejected G&M's proposal, Viva produced a metal case for Halo 2 which, according to G&M, contains proprietary information which has been supplied to the firm by Microsoft, in direct breach of the original NDA.

G&M alleges Viva and Microsoft are in a conspiracy, has breached all manners of laws, and is seeking a court injunction against the two firms in addition to substantial damages.