SNKのライセンスを受けてNEOGEO 互換の携帯ゲーム機NEOGEO X を製造・販売する米Tommo社が、SNKによる契約終了宣言に反論しました。
Tommo社は、SNK PLAYMORE USA によるライセンス契約終了宣言は不当であり、今後もNEOGEO X 本体やアーケードスティックなどの周辺機器、ゲームソフトの製造・販売は継続する、と同社のサイトで発表しています。
また同社は「NEOGEO X の成功を受けて」2013年のはじめにライセンス契約を2016年まで延長しており、今回のSNKによる突然で不当な契約終了宣言に失望しているとも述べています。
今のところSNKからTommo社への反論はありません。また契約終了の理由についても説明はありませんが、リンク先SNKの発表には【ご注意】として以下の文があります。そのまま抜粋すると、
【ご注意】
SNK PLAYMORE USA CORPORATION と TOMMO Inc.間の契約に記載されていない単体商品「アーケードスティック」（不正商品）が流通しております。関係各位におかれましては、不正商品の仕入、卸売、小売、購入等の売買行為はお止め頂きますようお願いいたします。
弊社に無許可で、弊社の所有する著作権、および商標権を侵害する不正商品を製造、輸入、卸売、小売、展示、広告、頒布することは違法行為です。 『NEOGEO』に代表される弊社が所有する知的財産権を守る為に、不正商品に対しては断固とした措置をとります。
関係各位におかれましては、お取り扱いについて十分注意くださいますよう重ねてお願いいたします。
本ライセンス商品のサポートにつきましては購入先にお問い合わせ頂きますようお願いいたします。
以上
そこでTommo社の製品ページを確認したところ、NEOGEO X Arcade Stick という単体商品が存在し、米アマゾンでも販売中でした。
関係する両社から説明がないため推測になりますが、このアーケードスティックの存在が、契約終了騒ぎの原因のひとつかもしれません。
本件は今後も動きがありしだいお伝えします。
Worldwide publisher and manufacturer of games and accessories continues to support and distribute NEOGEO X
Los Angeles, Calif. – October 7, 2013 – Tommo, Inc., today responded to the press release that appeared on the SNK PLAYMORE USA Corp website last week. Tommo, Inc. denies that any breach of contract exists in their agreement with SNK PLAYMORE USA Corp and are continuing to support and market the popular NEOGEO X GOLD entertainment system, its accessories, and games. Due to the popularity of the system, Tommo and SNK extended the agreement earlier this year until 2016. Tommo fully expects this agreement to be honored by all parties. To date, Tommo has performed all of its obligations under its license agreement with SNK and is disappointed by SNK's sudden and unjustified termination of the agreement. Tommo has demanded that SNK retract its press release and any attempts to terminate the license agreement.
"Tommo is still taking care of all customer service and product warranties in North America as are our master distribution partners, Success in Asia and Blaze in Europe," said Jonathan Wan, CEO of Tommo, Inc.. "We're continuing to sell NEOGEO X products, including the NEOGEO X GOLD System, Arcade Stick, MEGA PACK Volume 1 and Classics Volumes 1-5. The license agreement which allows Tommo to sell and market these products remains in effect."
Tommo Inc. would like to thank the thousands of NEOGEO X fans who have shown amazing support for NEOGEO X in the last week and want them to know we will continue to support them, their NEOGEO X GOLD systems and products.
About NEOGEO X:
Following the 20th anniversary of the ground breaking NEOGEO AES console, the NEOGEO X GOLD entertainment system provides players with all of the features of a home arcade and the convenience of a handheld gaming device.
For additional information regarding the NEOGEO X GOLD entertainment system, Mega Pack Volume 1, NEOGEO X Classics Volumes 1-5, and other NEOGEO X news, please visit: www.NEOGEOX.com.
About Tommo, Inc.:
Tommo Inc. was founded in 1989 and will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2014. Tommo has grown from an independent wholesaler of imported video games to a worldwide publisher and manufacturer of games and accessories across multiple platforms. Tommo works with many well known international brands on a wide variety of gaming and non-gaming product lines.
For all media and press-related inquiries, please contact press@tommo.com.
Los Angeles, Calif. – October 7, 2013 – Tommo, Inc., today responded to the press release that appeared on the SNK PLAYMORE USA Corp website last week. Tommo, Inc. denies that any breach of contract exists in their agreement with SNK PLAYMORE USA Corp and are continuing to support and market the popular NEOGEO X GOLD entertainment system, its accessories, and games. Due to the popularity of the system, Tommo and SNK extended the agreement earlier this year until 2016. Tommo fully expects this agreement to be honored by all parties. To date, Tommo has performed all of its obligations under its license agreement with SNK and is disappointed by SNK's sudden and unjustified termination of the agreement. Tommo has demanded that SNK retract its press release and any attempts to terminate the license agreement.
"Tommo is still taking care of all customer service and product warranties in North America as are our master distribution partners, Success in Asia and Blaze in Europe," said Jonathan Wan, CEO of Tommo, Inc.. "We're continuing to sell NEOGEO X products, including the NEOGEO X GOLD System, Arcade Stick, MEGA PACK Volume 1 and Classics Volumes 1-5. The license agreement which allows Tommo to sell and market these products remains in effect."
Tommo Inc. would like to thank the thousands of NEOGEO X fans who have shown amazing support for NEOGEO X in the last week and want them to know we will continue to support them, their NEOGEO X GOLD systems and products.
About NEOGEO X:
Following the 20th anniversary of the ground breaking NEOGEO AES console, the NEOGEO X GOLD entertainment system provides players with all of the features of a home arcade and the convenience of a handheld gaming device.
For additional information regarding the NEOGEO X GOLD entertainment system, Mega Pack Volume 1, NEOGEO X Classics Volumes 1-5, and other NEOGEO X news, please visit: www.NEOGEOX.com.
About Tommo, Inc.:
Tommo Inc. was founded in 1989 and will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2014. Tommo has grown from an independent wholesaler of imported video games to a worldwide publisher and manufacturer of games and accessories across multiple platforms. Tommo works with many well known international brands on a wide variety of gaming and non-gaming product lines.
For all media and press-related inquiries, please contact press@tommo.com.
