Court Dismisses WWE Claims Against THQ, Jakks

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on September 2, 2008 - 8:10am.

Los Angeles - The Connecticut Superior Court has dismissed the majority of claims brought by the WWE (NYSE: WWE) against game makers THQ (NASD: THQI) and Jakks Pacific (NASD: JAKK), which alleged that a joint venture between the two companies to create wrestling video games bribed several WWE employees in securing the licensing deal. In addition, the court dismissed WWE's state antitrust claim, citing lack of injury and a similar decision by a federal court, as well as federal claims against Jakks that alleged violations of RICO, the Sherman Antitrust Act and the Robinson-Patman Act.

"From the outset, we have maintained that WWE's claims against us were meritless and part of an attempt by WWE to force us to relinquish our financial stake in our licenses. We have refused to be bullied into submission and are delighted that the Connecticut Court has granted summary judgment in our favor," said Jakks chairman and CEO Jack Friedman.

WWE has indicated that it will appeal the rulings against it.

Still pending are WWE claims against THQ over an agreement with Japanese publisher Yuke's Co., to distribute wrestling games in that region.

THQ and Jakks still retain the WWE license through the end of 2009, and plan to release "WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009" in the fall.

WWE has already awarded the license going forward to Mattel, while Jakks has signed a game license deal with TNA, a lesser-known pro wrestling circuit.