Activision Blizzard Sued by Esports Pros Seeking at Least $680 Million, Alleging Monopoly Over ‘Call of Duty’ Leagues and Tournaments

variety.com:

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Two professional esports players are demanding at least $680 million in aggregate monetary damages in a lawsuit against Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard, alleging the game company holds an “unlawful 100% monopoly” over professional leagues and tournaments for first-person shooter “Call of Duty.” Activision Blizzard has used its “unlawful monopoly power to prevent would-be competitors from entering the market, as well as to coerce the market’s other participants — in particular, professional ‘Call of Duty’ players and team owners — to acquiesce to extortionate financial terms,” the lawsuit said.

The two esports players suing Activision are Hector Rodriguez (known by his “Call of Duty” handle “H3CZ”), founder of the OpTic Gaming team; and Seth Abner, known by his gamer tag “Scump.” No Call of Duty League teams are named as plaintiffs — and the lawsuit calls the other teams in the CDL “co-conspirators” in perpetuating Activision’s alleged monopoly and says “plaintiffs reserve the right to name as defendants some or all of the entities or individuals who acted as co-conspirators with Defendant in the alleged offenses.” In a statement, an Activision Blizzard rep said, “Mr.

Rodriguez (aka OpTic H3CZ) and Mr. Abner (aka Scump) demanded that Activision pay them tens of millions of dollars to avoid this meritless litigation, and when their demands were not met, they filed [the lawsuit].

We will strongly defend against these claims, which have no basis in fact or in law. We are disappointed that these members of the esports community would bring this suit which is disruptive to team owners, players, fans and partners who have invested so much time and energy into the Call of Duty League’s success.”.