Verdict delayed in Brutal Legend lawsuit

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has delayed a ruling on the Brutal Legend lawsuit between developer Double Fine Productions and former-publisher turned adversary Activision. But even with a delay on this ruling, it doesn’t look good for Activision. A ruling on the case has been suspended until August 6, but Los Angeles Superior Court judge Craig Karlan promised to have a final ruling on the case prior to EA’s August 8 deadline for the game.

Activision began this legal battle against the developer in June, with claims that it still owned the rights to publish the game and that it had invested nearly $15 million into the project. Brutal Legend was supposed to be published by Vivendi Universal Games before the company was bought by Activision to form Activision Blizzard last year.

While the judge emphasized in court that neither side had the upper-hand in the case, he also told lawyers for Activision that he didn’t have confidence in their case: “I can’t say there’s a likelihood of success here.” he commented.

Expect to hear a more definitive ruling next week on Thursday, August 6.