Show printable versionTokyo, Japan (August 26, 2015) – Square Enix Co., Ltd. (the “Company”) today announces that the Company and SNK Playmore Corporation (“SNK Playmore”) have reached an amicable settlement on criminal complaint and civil lawsuits regarding the comic series “HIGH SCORE GIRL” published by the Company (collectively, the “Disputes”). The settlement became effective on August 24, 2015.
1. Outline of the Disputes
SNK Playmore brought a criminal complaint against the Company and its employees to Osaka Prefectural Police Headquarters on May 26, 2014, claiming that “HIGH SCORE GIRL” allegedly infringed SNK Playmore’s copyright. The Company consequently brought a lawsuit to seek a declaratory judgment that the Company did not infringe SNK Playmore’s copyright to the Osaka District Court on October 8, 2014 followed by a countersuit to the same court filed by SNK Playmore against the Company to seek an injunction of the publication on March 16, 2015.
Today, the Company and SNK Playmore announced that both companies and Ledo Millennium Co., Ltd. (“Ledo”), a major shareholder of SNK Playmore, have reached an agreement on August 24, 2015 that the Disputes must be resolved promptly to enable the creation of new business opportunities utilizing each company’s content. Based on this agreement, the Company and SNK Playmore agreed to settle the Disputes. In accordance with the settlement agreement, SNK Playmore has withdrawn the criminal complaint against the Company, and the Osaka District Public Prosecutors' Office has accepted the withdrawal on August 24, 2015.
Both companies and Ledo will pursue developing and providing content that meets customers’ expectations through the creation of new business opportunities.
2. Major Conditions of the Settlement
1 ) SNK Playmore to withdraw the criminal complaint,
2 ) Square Enix and SNK Playmore to withdraw civil lawsuits, and
3 ) Square Enix to proceed with the publishing and sales of “HIGH SCORE GIRL.”
3. Future Forecast
The effect of this settlement on the Company’s financial performance is insignificant.
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