Xfire sues over GameSpy Comrade

Creator of PC gaming utility files suit claiming IGN Entertainment's latest software violates its copyright; Xfire attempt to prevent release of Battlefield 2142 denied.

Electronic Arts' futuristic first-person shooter Battlefield 2142 seems to be an unfortunate magnet of controversy that centers around other companies. Earlier this month, a user agreement inserted into copies of the game regarding IGA Worldwide's in-game advertising technology incorporated into the game sparked cries of spyware from some gamers--cries IGA Worldwide flatly denied.

Now Battlefield 2142 is caught up in a legal tangle between rival in-game instant messaging programs Xfire and GameSpy Comrade. On October 16, Viacom-owned Xfire filed suit against News Corp subsidiary IGN Entertainment over its GameSpy Comrade program, which comes on the Battlefield 2142 disc. IGN Entertainment also owns IGN.com, a GameSpot competitor.

Xfire is claiming that GameSpy Comrade's "Buddy Sync" feature illegally infringes on its copyrights. Buddy Sync retrieves users' friends lists from other instant messaging programs like AOL Instant Messanger and Xfire, and gives players the option of automatically inviting those friends who have GameSpy accounts to join the users' friends lists on Comrade.

Xfire filed the suit and a request for a temporary restraining order to prevent IGN or any of its partners from distributing Comrade the day before Battlefield 2142 was scheduled to ship to retail. In a filing in support of the restraining order, Xfire CEO Michael Cassidy specified how his company believes the Comrade program works. First, Cassidy said it reads the user's Xfire handle from the XfireUser.ini file, then visits a formulaic URL on the Xfire site to get a list of the user's friends (for instance, to find the friends list of Xfire user Aragorn, Comrade would go to http://www.xfire.com/friends/aragorn). The names on that friends list are then compared with a central IGN database of Comrade users' Xfire handles, and if any matches turn up, the user is asked if they want to invite those people to their Comrade buddy lists.

In its request for a restraining order, Xfire said the release of EA's shooter could irreparably harm it, specifically by infringing its copyrights, disclosing trade secrets in the form of its member's friends lists, and siphoning off Xfire users to IGN's program.

In response, IGN said that Xfire has no copyright to a user's name and list of friends, adding that the lists and names were created by the users. In addition, IGN said that Xfire has accused the company of misappropriating trade secrets, "even though the alleged 'secret'--a user's own screen name and friends list--is prominently posted on a publicly accessible area of Xfire's own Web site..." It also said that the company could accomplish the same effect by requiring users to type in their Xfire handle and friends lists instead of having an automated process retrieve the same information.

"Xfire's case is really a thinly veiled attempt to hijack Electronic Arts' release of Battlefield 2142, after EA decided to incorporate IGN's Comrade program in Battlefield 2142 instead of [Xfire]," IGN said.

EA also weighed in on the case, as the company's senior product manager, Richard Briggs, told the court that the release of Battlefield 2142 was carefully timed in advance of the holiday shopping season and launches of the PlayStation 3 and Wii systems. Briggs estimated that a delay would reduce its sales "by at least half." He added that such a delay could cause EA to lose goodwill with retailers, promotional partners, and consumers, "all of whom have no connection to the dispute between Xfire and IGN."

The next day, District Court Judge Susan Illston denied Xfire's request for the restraining order, saying the company had not demonstrated probable success on the merits of the case (one of the criteria to obtain a temporary restraining order), but had "raised serious questions as to the merits of at least some of its claims."

Representatives for IGN and Xfire declined to comment on the case.

108 Comments

  • floridajoe03

    Posted Feb 29, 2008 1:15 pm PT

    Long live Xfire! I used it when i had a group of friends that i used to play with all the time. Its just great! But then Gamespy has to come in and copy it and bog it down. What a bunch of pansies...

  • Tenamor

    Posted Apr 11, 2007 12:32 pm PT

    Lol Comrade is a copy of Xfire, but by gamespy... So it's worse... Ive been using xfire for a year or 2, so yeah I'm a loyal user, but that doesn't change the fact that Comrade is horrible. Looks, and has the same features of xfire, anything with the word "GameSpy" in it totally bogs down your system, and to top it off it just sucks! Xfire > Comrade hands down.

  • maco_cuz

    Posted Mar 18, 2007 4:21 am PT

    woot for using xfire to access msn list

  • MariusSE

    Posted Nov 10, 2006 5:58 am PT

    Long live Xfire!

  • alpha_company

    Posted Nov 4, 2006 6:26 am PT

    I hope nobody wins...

  • dnzperson

    Posted Nov 3, 2006 12:36 pm PT

    KnightsofRound :
    I hate IGN and EA, so I hope Xfire wins. -

    Same here dude - EA sucks.

  • yardleyto1

    Posted Nov 3, 2006 11:34 am PT

    Battlefield 2142 is a good game although the igame ads do get annoying at times the are well placed anddon distractthe user. as far as the dispute goes i think that if GS commodore is uing the xfire username and password to access the friends list and it is voulintary by the user then it is ok, otherwise it is infringing.

  • Mohamadouf

    Posted Nov 3, 2006 5:47 am PT

    Xfire wants a piece of EA ... BF2142 sucks man .. i bought it and i regret it

  • KnightsofRound

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 3:04 pm PT

    I hate IGN and EA, so I hope Xfire wins.

  • KingSigy

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 1:23 pm PT

    Its interesting how Xfire is mad over the Comrade BF2142 scandal, yet they still support BF2142

  • Zoracite

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 12:02 pm PT

    Iv always used xFire, i love it. the Comrade program was just annoying.

  • ShaDoW56

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 10:10 am PT

    yea xfire is so much better

  • capthunt

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 9:01 am PT

    lv99squall - "xfire is way better anyway"

    Yeh i totally agree.

  • lv99squall

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 6:35 am PT

    xfire is way better anyway

  • Autolycus

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 6:16 am PT

    "Stealing other programs friends lists of users to insert in your own program should be against the law. Grand Theft Friends Lists!"

    the problem here, is that it ISNT illegal and this case will make it one, if xfire has a solid arguement, which it doesnt. Also as MUCH AS I HATE EA(and you should too, they are what is wrong with videogames), they buy the games that make money for the purpose of MAKING MONEY(no other reason). So you'll have to stop playing fun games(not all, thats for sure). burnout = fun, battlefield = fun thats about it. but the point was stated below by someone else

    video games arent about making gamers happy anymore, they are about PROFIT PROFIT PROFIT. and thats why i hope all those greedy shyts burn in h3ll

  • Vorlin

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 6:01 am PT

    As far as I'm concerned, this is exactly like the Trillian case where AOL kept trying to block them from accessing their login servers.

    The problem is, if it's a publicly accessible file or website, once you agree to the Terms of Service on any installed program, you've agreed to whatever they want and those "TOS" rules are bound to change without notice, as we've all seen plenty of times.

    XFire doesn't really have much to worry about, I think. I don't use it, but I know it's more lightweight than anything GS comes out with. Used to use GS until it became bloatware.

    As an edit addition: this is why I just host my own TS server and not use 3rd party "buddy" software.

  • Paceydre

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 3:56 am PT

    Well, let me comment on this case. I don't want no IGN sniffing my friends list, or sniffing me from other persons friends list.

    If they can't build a community themselves then they shouldn't start stealing information from other websites. Do they ask if you want to get listed in the IGN system.....don't think so. As far as I knew all information about me on Xfire.com or in the program Xfire were used by me, my friends and xfire but not another party. The other party (ign) is 1 too much.

    Stealing other programs friends lists of users to insert in your own program should be against the law. Grand Theft Friends Lists!

  • Merl57

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 11:32 pm PT

    Wow I liked xfire before but now they are owned by a huge evil corporation and what do they do? Try to take down EA? I always hated EA but this gives xfire a bad name and I like xfire.

  • thunderbirdX22

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 7:13 pm PT

    Well I only care about the game and just play it online like any other game.

  • greks224

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 4:30 pm PT

    I love Xfire... but right now it seems their case is weak. People should just NOT download Gamespy to begin with... Gamespy was a good idea with poor execution.
    And a note about Gamespot vs. IGN:
    I love Gamespot so much more just simply because they insert their ads much more discreetly and simply have a better organized site.

  • WitchHunter1

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 3:56 pm PT

    I dont think ive even NOTICED any of the advertisement in 2142, and i dont think xfire has the right to sue either, its like bringing a case against trillian like the one guy said.

  • billigloo

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 3:50 pm PT

    news corp own's ign

  • Omniel_YHVH

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 2:43 pm PT

    Ladies and Gentlemen, the time has come.

    Video Gaming is no longer underground.

    From now on, we'll have to get used to corporations and lawyers.

    Too bad it isn't about the games anymore. It's all about the money.

  • CheddarLimbo

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 2:42 pm PT

    Viacom vs. EA. There's a clash of titans.

    As much as I hate to admit it, I'm on EA/IGN's side, here. They don't appear to be doing anything wrong, and Xfire's case seems pretty shallow.

    This is like trying to sue Trillian, for consolidating the friends lists on AOL, Yahoo, ICQ, etc.

    Also, calling IGN Gamespot's competition implies that there's some sort of comparable service between the two, which just ain't true.

  • Redsyrup

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 2:39 pm PT

    "IGN Entertainment also owns IGN.com, a GameSpot competitor."

    Doesn't Gamespot own IGN? And I'm talking legell speak not powned.

  • Lord_DoDo56

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 2:04 pm PT

    Who cares I just want to play a good game and not have to worry about this crapload.

  • JanaraMartin

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 12:44 pm PT

    wat the hel is with all of these ppl complaining about the adds in bf2142 ive got the game and i have no idea wat u ppl are talking about

  • Black_Blade7

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 12:26 pm PT

    Well the IGN Comrade Program seems like another program to add spyware and ads to your computer. XFire hasn't done that to me and I'm still spyware and Adware free. Battlefield 2142 was a complete disappointment and I think the judge played the game and found it disappointing as well so she dismissed the case =P. That's my own 2 cents though =P.

  • cjcr_alexandru

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 11:15 am PT

    Not interesting. It's not interesting at all.

  • Thanos_of_MW

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 11:11 am PT

    I'll pass on this game. I do not support adware or ads being displayed while I play. I paid for the game, I want no advertisement. If they are going to give the game away for free then they'd have an excuse to fill it with advertisement, but not when they are charging full price for it.

  • sonicare

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 11:00 am PT

    I think they had to mention that IGn is a competitor since it is an editorial by a gamespot employee. Thats just full disclosure.

  • LiK

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 10:54 am PT

    get ready to rumble

  • gametester1424

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 10:50 am PT

    woolysockofdoom
    :
    IGN Entertainment also owns IGN.com, a GameSpot competitor.
    :
    Despite the fact that this is true, I find it hilarious that it had to be in the story
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I thought this was funny how they reported this story too. Seems like muck-raking among competitors. As if we don't have enough of this with the political adds on tv right now...sheesh.

  • PattyL_uk

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 10:45 am PT

    yeah Gamespy sucks and a rip off i payed 50£ for E3 and fast downloads but no ''TGS'' ; Sony game day or MS06 or anything, Gamespot is 100% better and once i save up i will be a paying member on Gamespot!!

    Kick thier azz xfire.

    BTW GS Comrade sux its a copycat

  • SadisticSid

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 10:41 am PT

    It's no different from Trillian or any of these social networking sites that can collect your contact list from MSN or Yahoo or whatever. If Xfire want it so that this PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE data can't be accessed by its competitors, it should be responsible for doing so by technical means rather than resorting to this futile legal nonsense.

  • wornstar GameSpot staff member

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 10:22 am PT

    Does anyone see a potential conflict of interest?

  • hybridusaker1

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 10:15 am PT

    Ha Ha - Nelson Munts x2

  • Autolycus

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 9:53 am PT

    ea SUCKS goatst...just dont buy it. let it sit in retailers shelves......any program requiring you to install spyware so they can make millions, without giving you a penny, is beyond acceptable

  • modem22

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 9:46 am PT

    IGN and Gamespy both blow.....

  • K1LLSWITCH

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 9:38 am PT

    If in fact the Comrade program is scanning their competitors database for user screen names to steal away the customers then I can see a lawsuit.

    For EA to say "that such a delay could cause EA to lose goodwill with retailers, promotional partners, and consumers" is a delayed statement as they already lost goodwill within the gaming community because of their microtransaction fiasco and their poorly developed sports titles.

  • LordAndrew

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 9:33 am PT

    Everyone's trying to sue someone these days. But suing IGN? Xfire doesn't stand a chance.

  • Greydawg

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 8:56 am PT

    I used to use Gamespy for Quake and Quake 2 and Unreal, etc. I have tried using it since, but by now, most games have in-game connections, don't they?

  • alibabba13

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 8:42 am PT

    "He added that such a delay could cause EA to lose goodwill with retailers, promotional partners, and consumers" I think that that statement by EA is naive, they wouldnt have lost any sales in my opinion because anyone buying the game would still want it just because its delayed a month and there would have been improvements (hopefully). By releasing it early they have lost the goodwill of consumers anyway so they screwed that up...

  • FallenOneX

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 8:35 am PT

    EA, you've already lost a lot of goodwill with your sports titles on the 360. A delay won't help matters much.

  • WarriorsDoom

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 8:26 am PT

    DizCrzedGamer
    "BOTEN ANNA!!!"

    I seccond that notion. Basshunter FTW!
    "Vi sitter här i venten och spelar lite DOTA!"

  • Lord_Bafford

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 8:11 am PT

    well, lets see who's gonna sue who tomorrow....

  • makemeweak

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 8:04 am PT

    ooooh - catfight!

  • BIGboss600

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 7:38 am PT

    i have ign and gamespot on bookmark

  • epplaya2007

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 7:11 am PT

    ign esta muy estupida porque ign esta muy joto gamespot 4 life !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Icekxg

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 7:07 am PT

    well here's what I gotta say:
    1. ever hear of Trillian??? taps into AOL, Yahoo, MSN, ICQ, and MIRC while importing your friends list...and I love it!
    2. do people still use xFire and gamespy to play games? It's not that hard to give someone the IP address of the server you're playing on.

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