The class action suit filed against Electronic Arts for its monopoly on the NFL, NCAA football and Arena League licenses for electronic entertainment – including the Madden series – is now underway, as the below email has been sent to gamers, who want to register as a plaintiff in the case.
The licensing is being challenged as a monopoly as the plaintiffs are charging that Electronic Arts used it to suppress competition and allowing it to gouge consumers. In particular, the NFL 2K series was not only considered superior to the Madden product, but 2K Sports was selling NFL 2K5, the last 2K Sports football title, for $19.99 while Madden NFL 2005 was still at the $49.99 price point. Now, the Madden series remains $59.99, while allegedly rehashing essentially the same game over and over with little innovation.
Let us know if you’ve been included in the suit. Electronic Arts recently extended their licensing agreement through to 2013, while the 2011-2012 NFL season is threatened by the current lockout.
