Video Games: December 2011  The Clones Wars: Zynga Uses
Copyright to Protect its Games    On December 6, 2011 Zynga
settled its copyright suits against Vostu USA Inc. and others. 
The first suit, case number 5:11-cv-02959, filed in the U.S.
District Court for the Northern District of California back in
June, alleged that several of Vostu's games infringed Zynga's
copyrights.  Specifically, Zynga had alleged, that
Vostu's MegaCity, Cafe Mania, Pet Mania, Vostu Poker and
MiniRazenda games are merely clones of Zynga's popular titles. 
Zynga followed this suit with another one in Brazil claiming
copyright infringement and unfair competition.  Vostu initially
responded to the suits asserting that its games were non-
infringing but has ultimately agreed to settle the US and
Brazilian matters by compensating Zynga and altering some of its
games.  The parties have issued a joint statement that "Zynga
and Vostu have settled the copyright lawsuits and counterclaims
against each other in the United States and Brazil".  A