LOS ANGELES, Feb. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD., a
Tokyo-based leading digital entertainment content company (Square Enix),
announced today that it had filed a federal lawsuit in the Central District
of California against alleged infringers of Square Enix's intellectual
property. The lawsuit names at least four wholesalers of unlicensed sword
replicas and their principals, which have willfully infringed four
videogames and one CG-animated film in Square Enix's FINAL FANTASY(R)
franchise. Additional defendants may be added to this lawsuit. By filing
this lawsuit, Square Enix is stepping up its anti-piracy enforcement with
aggressive initiatives against individuals and organizations involved in
the theft and unauthorized use of the company's intellectual properties.
This lawsuit follows multiple confidential settlements with various
retailers of similar infringing items, each of which involved the payment
of a substantial financial penalty.
The current lawsuit is a result of cooperation with the United States
Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Patrol, whose agents
seized a crate of counterfeit replica swords. These seized swords had been
designed to replicate the unique swords featured in Square Enix's FINAL
FANTASY franchise. Square Enix conducted a thorough investigation to
identify the primary wholesalers and retailers of these unauthorized
products in the United States. The targets of the current lawsuit have
refused to cooperate with Square Enix.
"We are actively pursuing those who commit intellectual property
infringement against our company," said Yasuhiko Hasegawa, Square Enix's
General Counsel. "Any illegal activities, including the sale and
distribution of unauthorized replica merchandise and counterfeit jewelry,
and the unauthorized copying of Square Enix games, music, movies, images,
and other intellectual property, will be prosecuted. While Square Enix
appreciates the enthusiasm of its fans, and values its relationship with
them, it is also obligated to protect its intellectual property rights or
risk weakening or losing the very rights that enable the company to
continue to provide its fans with an exciting entertainment experience."
About Square Enix Co., Ltd. and Square Enix, Inc.
Square Enix Co., Ltd. (Square Enix), with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan,
develops, publishes and distributes entertainment content including
interactive entertainment software and publications in Asia, North America
and Europe. Square Enix brings two of Japan's best-selling franchises --
FINAL FANTASY, which has sold over 80 million units worldwide, and DRAGON
QUEST(R), which has sold over 43 million units worldwide -- under one roof.
Square Enix is one of the most influential providers of digital
entertainment content in the world and continues to push the boundaries of
creativity and innovation.
Square Enix, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Square Enix Co., Ltd.
with offices in Los Angeles, California. It handles operations in North
America, including development, localization, marketing and publishing of
Square Enix titles. More information on Square Enix can be found on the
Internet at http://www.square-enix.com.
DRAGON QUEST, FINAL FANTASY, SQUARE ENIX and the SQUARE ENIX logo are
registered trademarks or trademarks of Square Enix Co., Ltd., in the United
States and/or other countries.
Contact:
Sonia Im Ogilvy Public Relations
Square Enix, Inc. for Square Enix, Inc.
310.846.0400 Monica Bouldin
pr@square-enix-usa.com 310.248.6114
monica.bouldin@ogilvypr.com
SOURCE SQUARE ENIX
