Press Statement From Gibson Guitar

Press Statement From Gibson Guitar

NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Gibson Guitar Corp., the world's premier musical instrument manufacturer and leader in music technology, has been involved in on-going conversations with Activision Publishing, Inc., a U.S. video game publisher, regarding its infringement of a Gibson patent. Gibson has rights to request a license of Activision, which is currently using its patent as it relates to the guitar controllers. In addition, the company has encouraged Activision to enter into discussions in an effort to secure a conclusion to the matter. Instead, Activision chose to release a public statement to media and to file a lawsuit. Gibson Guitar stands behind its claim in this matter. Gibson intends to vigorously defend its rights and to pursue any rights it may have against Activision and any other persons. There will be no further comment on this issue at this time.

Gibson is known worldwide for producing classic models in every major style of fretted instrument, including acoustic and electric guitars, mandolins, and banjos. Gibson's HD.6X-PRO Digital Guitar and the Gibson Robot Guitar represent the biggest advances in electric guitar design in over 70 years. Founded in 1894 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and headquartered in Nashville since 1984, Gibson Guitar Corp.'s family of brands now includes Epiphone, Dobro, Maestro, Kramer, Steinberger, Tobias, Echoplex, Electar, Flatiron, Gibson Baldwin Music Education, Slingerland, Valley Arts, Maestro, Oberheim, Sunshine Piano, Take Anywhere Technology, Baldwin, J&C Fischer, Chickering, Hamilton, and Wurlitzer. Visit Gibson's website at http://www.gibson.com/ or http://www.gibson.com/press.

    MEDIA CONTACT:     Caroline Galloway  GIBSON 440-338-3469 caroline.galloway@gibson.com    Maureen O'Connor  Rogers & Cowan 310-854-8116 moconnor@rogersandcowan.com  

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Gibson Guitar Corp.

CONTACT: Caroline Galloway of Gibson Guitar Corp.,
+1-440-338-3469, caroline.galloway@gibson.com; or Maureen O'Connor of Rogers &
Cowan, +1-310-854-8116, moconnor@rogersandcowan.com, for Gibson Guitar Corp.

Web site: http://www.gibson.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment