Pulp Fiction writer sues Microsoft over virtual yoga

'Everyone be cool, this is a robbery'

By John Oates • Get more from this author

Posted in Developer, 17th November 2004 10:23 GMT

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Despite its best efforts to settle legal action it seems Microsoft just can't stay out of court. Roger Avary, who won an Oscar for writing Pulp Fiction with Quentin Tarantino, is suing the software giant alleging it stole his idea for a yoga game.

Writing on his blog Roger Avary said: "After centering myself in a Vinyasa class, I filed suit against Microsoft Corporation and ResponDesign Inc."

The complaint accuses Microsoft of breach of implied contract, breach of duty, breach of confidence, misappropriation of trade secrets, fraud, negligent misrepresentation, unfair competition and unjust enrichment. Avary claims Microsoft used his ideas in a Yoga game for the X-box designed with ResponDesign called Yourself!Fitness.

Avary, who acts as consultant to games makers, claims he had a series of meetings with Microsoft in late 2002 and 2003 to attract more young women to playing games on the XBox. Avary outlined his idea for a yoga game to them. He handed over notes but heard nothing back until he was asked to sign away his rights to the idea. He claims Microsoft executives loved his idea for a yoga workout game and described it as "the next killer app for XBox".

Ted Spooner, chief executive at ResponDesign, said the claim was totally false and Microsoft had no input to the games design. He said the idea was a wholly original creation of his company and made before Avary met Microsoft.

More info on Avary's blog here. ®