SQUARE ENIX Files Federal Lawsuit Against Alleged Infringers of FINAL FANTASY Franchise

SQUARE ENIX Files Federal Lawsuit Against Alleged Infringers of FINAL FANTASY
Franchise

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

Sonia Im of Square Enix, Inc., +1-310-846-0400, pr@square-enix-usa.com; or
Monica Bouldin of Ogilvy Public Relations, +1-310-248-6114,
monica.bouldin@ogilvypr.com, for Square Enix, Inc.