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FarmVille developer Zynga slapped with copyright lawsuit by Electronic Arts

While social games developer Zynga saw its stock price plummet dramatically at the end of July, more trouble lies ahead for the company, whose offices in Timonium, opened in 2009, were called a “best place to work” by Baltimore magazine. California-based game developer Electronic Arts Inc. sued Zynga on August 2, accusing the company of copying integral elements […]

While social games developer Zynga saw its stock price plummet dramatically at the end of July, more trouble lies ahead for the company, whose offices in Timonium, opened in 2009, were called a “best place to work” by Baltimore magazine.
California-based game developer Electronic Arts Inc. sued Zynga on August 2, accusing the company of copying integral elements of the EA game The Sims Social for its game The Ville, according to a Reuters report reprinted in the Baltimore Sun.

In a 40-page filing, the Redwood City, California-based game publisher pointed out numerous game elements it claimed Zynga mimicked in “The Ville,” from personality traits to avatars’ actions, such as conversing and dancing. [more]

According to the Reuters article, this is not the first time Zynga has weathered a copyright lawsuit. In 2011, for instance, the Learning Company — makers of the Oregon Trail — sued Zynga regarding the release of one of its FrontierVille titles also called the Oregon Trail. It was in Zynga’s office in Timonium where FrontierVille, now the Pioneer Trail, was developed.
As of the close of the stock market Friday, shares of Zynga stock were selling for $2.72 each.

Companies: Zynga
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