Halo 2 packaging lands Microsoft in legal battle

As publishers find new ways to entice gamers to buy games, special-edition packaging is becoming more and more commonplace. Big-name releases in particular get gussied up in box sets or other fancy packaging with the intention of depriving gamers of even more of their cash.

Unfortunately for Microsoft, one popular game's casing could end up costing the company money. Halo 2, one of the best-selling games of all time, was released in two versions last year. In addition to the frills-free standard edition of the shooter, a limited collector's edition was also released. The latter featured bonus behind-the-scenes footage, art galleries, and commentary, all wrapped up neatly in a metallic case that housed two DVDs.

Glud & Marstrand, headquartered in Denmark, is suing Microsoft for breach of a nondisclosure agreement, according to reports in the European game press. In 2002, G&M offered its services to produce metal game cases for Microsoft, and the two signed NDAs and exchanged information.

The suit reportedly claims that G&M was contacted by Microsoft in 2003 and was looking for a company to produce metal packaging for the release of Halo 2. G&M claims that Microsoft sent its case proposals to Viva, a potential rival for the contract and not part of the NDA. According to reports, the Danish design firm alleges that its proprietary technology was used in a Viva case made for Halo 2 and that Microsoft and Viva are in cahoots. G&M is suing for damages and requesting an injunction against both Microsoft and Viva.