DEVELOPER SUES EA OVER MADDEN 2006
A game developer has sued EA, claiming EA incorporated some of his ideas into Madden 2006. The developer met with EA in 2003 and disclosed an idea for a football game where the gamer develops a football player from high school to pro ball. The developer claims EA stole this idea and included it in Madden 2006 without his permission. EA denies this.
Developers who pitch ideas to publishers often try to protect their ideas by asking publishers to sign confidentiality agreements. However, many publishers refuse to sign those agreements (and in fact require developers to sign agreements waiving all future claims regarding the ideas) because publishers hear hundreds of game ideas each year and want to avoid lawsuits like this one.
Coverage at http://www.shorl.com/dofudevuviha