I like this one. I would have titled it: NEVER fuck with the Mob
Universal Goes Ape
Donkey Kong was the early hit that cemented Nintendo's position in the video-game business, and the cash cow that sustained the fledgling Nintendo of America. The game became an outright phenomenon, and Nintendo signed deals for everything from board games to lunch boxes to a cartoon show. More importantly, it sold the rights to make various console and computer ports. With over 60,000 Donkey Kong machines produced, and all of the income from the various licensing deals, Nintendo was flying high.
Poor, innocent Donkey Kong. He just wanted to be loved.
Until, that is, Nintendo's Japanese office received a telex from MCA Universal stating that the company had 48 hours to hand all profits earned from Donkey Kong over to MCA and destroy all unsold Donkey Kong inventory. The reason? MCA alleged that Donkey Kong infringed on Universal Studios' "King Kong" copyright. Never fond of being threatened, NoA met with MCA lawyers, seemingly with the intent of settling. MCA could see no other outcome, but Nintendo was suspicious, and asked for a short delay. It was granted, and the Nintendo legal team went to work digging up everything it could on the "King Kong" property.
A month later, the two sides reconvened. After a civil dinner, Nintendo counsel Howard Lincoln dropped the bomb: They weren't settling. MCA honcho Sid Sheinberg reportedly went ballistic, and the lawsuit was on. Unfortunately for MCA, Nintendo had a very good reason for refraining from a settlement: It had discovered that MCA did not own the "King Kong" copyright! Even more shockingly, in a previous lawsuit MCA Universal had actually gone to pains to prove that the "King Kong" property was public domain!
The writing was on the wall. With such strong evidence on its side, Nintendo pushed for a dismissal, which the judge quickly granted. MCA was ordered to pay $1.8 million in damages to Nintendo and to return the money it had bullied out of other Donkey Kong-affiliated licensees it had drawn into the dispute.
-Insert Inspiring Quote-
