Judge Refuses to Sack Potential Billion-Dollar 'Madden NFL' Game Lawsuit

Robin Antonick, the man whocreated the first version of the mega-successfulMadden NFL Footballvideo game, has survived the first hurdle in a massive lawsuit against Electronic Arts. On Tuesday, a federal judge refused to dismiss Antonick's claims against the giant video game publisher, potentially setting the stage for an interesting fight over intellectual property in video games. The case could be worth billions of dollars. Antonick sued in March with allegations that he was unfairly denied profit participation in the Madden NFL franchise, which has sold more than 85 million copies in the more than 20 years since it hit the marketplace. The plaintiff created the first version of the game, released in 1988 forthe Commodore 64, MS Dos, and Apple II platforms. At that time, Antonick was working under a developmental contract with EA, which he says entitled him to royalties on derivative versions. But then in the early 1990s, EA hired Park Place Productions to develop a new version of the Madden game and allegedly extricated itself from its relationship with Antonick by telling him that a new Sega Genesis Madden NFL game would be more of an "arcade" game without any reference or use of his intellectual property. Antonick allegedly accepted this representation for two decades until he heardElectronic Arts founderTrip Hawkinsspeak in interviews upon commemoration of the game's 20th anniversary how even the current game was derived from the initial versions of software. He then sued and pointed to further interviews by founders of Park Place saying how they had little contact with John Madden, weren't familiar with his playbook, and managed to turn around the initial games in record time. Antonick said this raises doubts about whether their versions were really based from scratch. The initial hurdle in this case was for Antonick to convince a judge why it took him two long decades to bring a lawsuit. EA filed a motion to dismiss based on the expiration of the statute of limitations. On Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge Charles Breyer accepted Antonick's arguments as "plausible" that EA may have fraudulently concealed and misrepresented the situation to Antonick, thus tolling the clock that the Madden creator had to file a complaint. As a result, the dispute now heads to discovery to determine whether the new versions of Madden NFL contain any of Antonick's protectable elements. Judge Breyer will likely have to make a determination over the substantial similarity in the respective games. Antonick has taken credit for introducing, among other things, the simulation of player behavior, a three-dimensional projection of the field, instant replay and a positional camera -- elements that EA argues are not expression and thus not protectableby the US Copyright Act. In the lawsuit, Antonick demandsover tens of millions of dollars in owed royalties and potentially billions in disgorged profits. E-mail: eriqgardner@yahoo.com Twitter: @eriqgardner

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Elton John

Presented by Caesars Structure. Entertainers: Elton John, Davey Johnstone, Nigel Olsson, Bob Birch, John Mahon, Ray Cooper, Kim Bullard. Examined Sept. 28, 2011Never allow it to be stated that Elton John does not possess a spontaneity. His highly-anticipated go back to Caesars Structure Colosseum started together with his longtime band playing the outlet to "The Bitch Has Returned,Inch because the celebrity swanned onstage inside a bejeweled cape so sparkly and vibrant that even Liberace might have needed to think hard about putting on it. "The Billion Dollar Piano," instead of "The Red-colored Piano" -- the title of his previous five-year run at Caesars that led to 2008 -- travels lower much of the identical yellow brick road musically since it's predecessor, however it veers from the beaten path in ways that's certain to satisfy longtime fans. "Red-colored" contained wall-to-wall hits. "Million," so named because John's piano allegedly cost $a million and required nearly 4 years for Yamaha to fabricate, can also be hit-driven, but in the center of the 2-hour show, John delved deep into his estimable catalog, tugging out such chestnuts as 1971's "Indian Sunset" (possibly most widely known within the U.S. like a sample source for Tupac Shakur's posthumous 2004 hit "Ghetto Gospel"), "Honky Chateau's" "Hireling Shepherd and Mad Hatters" and "Best Dead" from "Captain Fantastic and also the Brown Grime Cowboy." John's entertaining, passionate performance started into overdrive within the last half-hour, beginning using the rollicking, piano-pounding "Hey Ahab," from his underrated 2010 album with musical hero Leon Russell, "The Union," before careening through "I am Still Standing," "Crocodile Rock" and "Saturday Night's Okay For Fighting." Aesthetically, the show, that will possess a three-year run, has become a significant facelift. The group of "The Red-colored Piano" featured neon signs along with a large screen for that small-movies that digital photographer-director David LaChapelle produced for pretty much each song. The looking for "The Billion Dollar Piano," created by Mark Fisher, illegal copies a Roman bridge with movable ornate golden half-archways on each side -- so elaborate they contain bas-reliefs of John's two cocker spaniels, Arthur and Marilyn. (The only real apparent opening evening production flaw? The lights around the arch stage left went rogue, frequently blinking by themselves). A few of the band people and four female backup performers -- who have been largely underutilized -- are situated on the riser, and above them is yet another riser for percussionist and longtime John cohort Ray Cooper, whose actions are extremely flamboyant he turns the easy act of striking a tambourine right into a major event. Behind everything would be a massive screen that forecasted condition-of-the art images for nearly every tune, may it be the colorful, Peter Max-like short films for "Philadelphia Freedom" or even the superbly-made animated timeline of John's existence that plays behind "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" and finishes, sweetly, having a photo of John's newborn boy. Other moments tend to be more abstract, for example baroque hallways and chandeliers that seem to move closer, as though in three dimensional. Sometimes, the wild kaleidoscope of images edges on physical overload, resulting in a annoying, kitchen-sink effect. Close to the finish, when many of the features disappear throughout "Crocodile Rock" and also the screen is projecting only John and the band playing, along with the obligatory audience shots, the take-away is the fact that for those "The Billion Dollar Piano's" excesses, after five decades, John needs absolutely none of results his musical miracle. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Sherak, Reitman looking for Variety marketing confab

Sherak Reitman Tom Sherak and Ivan Reitman happen to be set as keynote loudspeakers at Variety's Film Marketing Summit, looking for March. 4-5 in the Universal Hilton.Sherak, prexy from the Academy of movement Picture Arts and Sciences, will be a part of a keynote Q&A on March. 4, while helmer-producer Reitman is going to be featured the very next day.Facilities marketing mavens getting involved in the outlet-day "Condition from the Business" panel sesh include Warner Bros.' Sue Kroll, Fox's Oren Aviv, DreamWorks Animation's Anne Globe and U's Josh Goldstine.The summit, co-created by Variety and Stradella Road, will put a focus on utilizing the growing quantity of possibilities to achieve customers through new and emerging media platforms. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

Julie Andrews honored with Grace

Andrews ChuJulie Andrews will be honored at this year's Princess Grace Awards Gala with the Prince Rainier III Award, a kudo given to prominent creatives whose career has included both artistic achievement and significant humanitarian work.Andrews has a long history of charity work, particularly on behalf of orgs that tackle international issues. She's a founding board member of Operation USA, which provides relief to areas of the world hit by disasters, disease or poverty, and has also been a goodwill ambassador for gender-equality fund Unifem. In recent years, the honor has gone to Denzel and Pauletta Washington, Mandy Patinkin, Glenn Close and George Lucas.Also tapped for a career achievement award at the ceremony is Jon M. Chu, helmer of "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never." He'll get the Princess Grace Statue Award. Prior winners of the statue award have included Tony Kushner, Greg Mottola and Cary Joji Fukunaga.Princess Grace Awards support emerging creatives in legit, dance and film, handing out scholarships, apprenticeships and fellowships. Twenty-one up-and-comers will receive the Princess Grace during the upcoming kudofest and gala.Ceremony is set for Nov. 1 at Gotham's Cipriani 42nd Street. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com

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Universal Plotting Another Scarface

While not a remake?Thinking about the truth that the essential story of Scarface powered both tale from the Italian-born gangster in 1932 as well as the a lot more legendary Tony Montana (Al Pacino) in 1983, it's in some manner no surprise that Universal might be thinking it could use an amount newer generation. So don't let how well you see widen much further in shock the studio is becoming planning another version. Yes, according to Deadline, Universal is becoming in active development, with producer Martin Bregman - who aided increase the risk for '83 take - meeting authors to flesh the most recent take. This program is always to shove the update into current day world and keep the core element of an immigrant who eventually eventually ends up as being a criminal kingpin. Just don't go calling it a remake: while John P Palma's version itself faced plenty of anger if the was introduced (ultimately, the 1932 original was by Howard Hawks!) it's since gone onto become an legendary crime film. Discover much more about this here. It's too early to see whether update could bottle the lightning another time, but we'll have to wait and discover. But here's the question to suit your needs lot: can it be necessary? Can we need another anti-hero? Or will anybody involved greet a leetle friend?

Healthy Hollywood: Wellness Wednesday A Sole Remedy For Victoria Beckham!

By Terri MacLeodLOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Victoria Beckham once declared she cant concentrate in flats. The style icon claimed she didnt even own a pair of flats because they made her rail thin legs look like golf clubs. Oh, my - the hardships of being Victoria! The stiletto-loving mother of four was recently brought down to earth after a slipped disc forced her to dump the high heels in favor of more practical (gasp) low heels. Doctors advised her to dare not teeter in stilettos during NYs fashion week. Despite the doctors order, the stylish mom was recently photographed rocking sky-high boots with new baby Harper in her arms. Old habits are hard to break! Just ask the stylish set hitting the shows in NY this week. After all, a towering pair of heels is a built-in spotlight sure to outshine the more grounded (and yes, comfy) women who dare to wear flats. Wearing high heels can lead to a host of problems, from inflamed nerves to long-term joint problems to calf, ankle, and lower back pain. It can offset your balance, declare the wellness experts at SpaFinder. If you insist on stepping out in heels (Victoria, are you listening) SpaFinder reveals there are a number of remedies to soothe your aching feet. From a comprehensive foot fitness training program that assesses your walk and helps get your shoes out of your feet to an ancient Chinese foot massage to specialized pedicures, spas are offering a variety of treatments to help prevent and relieve the pain caused by wearing todays super high heels. For more information, check out www.spafinder.com If you prefer to treat your feet in the privacy of your own home, Jill Cassidy of Josephs Pilates shares with Healthy Hollywood DIY exercises to strengthen your body for high heels. Toe Tapping Take your shoes off and while keeping your heel on the ground, lift the ball of your foot up off the ground as high as you can, lower and repeat. Toe Corrector Put a thick rubber band (like the one that goes around broccoli) around the big toe joint on each foot. The feet are placed on the floor (should be done sitting) and the two toes pull away from each other. This helps avoid bunions. Knee Strengthener Place your back flat against the wall and slide downward so that you are sitting with your back flat on the wall and your knees are at a 90 degree angle (or as close as can get them). This one is good for legs as well! Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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'Shelter' finds room at top

"Take Shelter," starring Michael Shannon, came Deauville's top jerk. Helmer Shaun Nichols' mental drama "Take Shelter" beat 13 other challengers to win the grand prize in the 37th Deauville American Film Festival, which wrapped Saturday. Pic, starring Michael Shannon like a guy battling with mental illness, won Cannes' Experts Week in May and tested competing at Sundance. It segues to Toronto now.Advert Vitam will release the film on 12 ,. 7 in France. Presided over by French helmer Olivier Assayas, the jury granted its prize to Matthew Gordon's coming-of-age drama "The Dynamiter," among the competition's nine directorial debuts. Lensed in Mississippi, pic follows a teenager being careful of his more youthful half-brother once they are abandoned by their mother for that summer time. "The Dynamiter" is seeking theatrical distribution.Gordon is presently creating documentary "Lay offs On Wall Street: Bankers in their own individual Words," directed by his wife, Marianne Michallet, who professional created "The Dynamiter."Tony Kaye's "Detachment," starring Adrien Brody and Christina Hendricks, nabbed the Fipresci worldwide experts prize and also the Thought jerk. Tribeca Film has U.S. distribution privileges Pretty Pictures distributes in Gaul.Deauville closed with Michel Hazanavicius' quiet film "The Artist," starring Jean Dujardin. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Read Mel Gibson's Explanation for His Upcoming Judah Maccabee Movie

If you thought the entire planet had been taken over by The Onion upon reading the news that Mel Gibson is planning a movie about Jewish religious leader Judah Maccabee (!) with Joe Eszterhas writing the screenplay (!!), you probably weren't alone. On first, second and fifteenth blush, the idea is still hard to believe, so much so that the good folks at Vulture have come up with a handy parlor game you can fool around with on this slow Friday afternoon. ("Mel Gibson Writing a Jewish Hero Movie Is Like Who Doing What?"; fave suggested answer: Tracy Morgan starring in 'The Normal Heart.') For Gibson, however, the Judah Maccabee film is a passion project he's been hoping to produce for a while. In a just-published interview by The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg -- one conducted several years ago, Goldberg says, as part of research for an upcoming book he's writing about Maccabee -- Gibson revealed at least some of his thought process behind the project. "I just read [Book of Maccabees I and II] when I was teenager, and it's amazing. It's almost like" -- here, he grabbed my digital recorder, held it to his mouth, and spoke in a portentous movie-announcer voice -- "They profaned his Temple. They killed his father. They... all kinds of stuff. In the face of great odds for something he believed in" -- here he switched out of movie-announcer voice -- "Oh, my God, the odds they faced. The armies they faced had elephants! How cinematic is this! Even Judah's dad -- what's his name? Mattathias? -- you kind of get this guy who more or less is trying to avoid the whole thing, but he just gets to a place where had enough, and he just snapped!" The story of Judah Maccabee also includes some instances of barbaric circumcision and general genital violence, but don't worry: per this years-old interview, Gibson said he'd leave that out. Not that he doesn't have a joke for the occasion. "Hey, did you know they use foreskins for replacing eyelids?" began the embattled star. Click through to The Atlantic to read the punchline. (Or maybe don't.) [via The Atlantic]

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Marc Anthony Talks Doing Business With Jennifer Lopez

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez might have split in July after seven years of marriage, but the lives of the former power couple are still very connected especially when it comes to business. Access Hollywoods Shaun Robinson chatted with Marc on Thursday in New York City about the launch of his new clothing line at Kohls, where Jennifer also has a line. Its not challenging at all, Marc told Shaun while being honored for Gray Line New Yorks Ride of Fame campaign. She has her own team at Kohls and I have mine, he continued. Were very instrumental in supporting each other through this whole process. Adding, Her line is fantastic. Marc also told Shaun that their twins, Emme and Max, 3, are handling their life changes well. Everybodys fine, the kids are fine, he said. Im looking forward to all these project I have this year Its a great time Its absolutely a great time. As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, the couples upcoming reality talent show, QViva! The Chosen, is still moving forward despite their split. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Art Directors Guild to fete Walton

The Art Directors Guild will present art director-set designer Tony Walton with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 16th Annual Excellence in Production Design Awards, to be held Feb. 4 at the BevHilton. Walton began his career in 1957, and has designed for such films and Broadway and TV productions "Petulia," "Mary Poppins" and "The Wiz," which the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences nominated for costume design and art direction. He was also nommed by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the British Academy Film Awards for costume and set design for "Murder on the Orient Express" in 1975. Previous recipients of ADG Lifetime Achievement Awards include production designers Ken, Adam, Robert Boyle, Albert Brenner, Henry Bumstead, Roy Christopher, Stuart Craig, Bill Creber, John Mansbridge, Terence Marsh, Harold Michelson, Jan Scott, Paul Sylbert and Dean Tavoularis. Noms for the ADG Awards in nine categories will be announced Jan. 4. Paula Poundstone returns as host for this year's kudos, which also will celebrate the 75th anni of the guild on Feb. 4. Outstanding contribution to cinematic imagery and three honorary awards will also be presented. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Ex-News Intl. exec contradicts Murdoch evidence

LONDON -- Former News International legal chief Tom Crone has told members of Parliament that he was "certain" that he had told James Murdoch about an email that revealed that phone hacking at the News of the World went beyond one reporter. Speaking to a committee on Tuesday, Crone said that back in 2008 he had informed Murdoch, who was then chief exec of News International, about the notorious "For Neville" email that proved that more than one "rogue reporter" -- referring to royal correspondent Clive Goodman, aided by private investigator Glenn Mulcaire -- used illegal phone hacking methods to obtain stories at the paper. The email is alleged to have implicated the Brit tabloid's chief reporter at the time, Neville Thurlbeck, in illegal activity. This revelation from Crone contradicts previous evidence that Murdoch gave in July before a Parliamentary committee, where he denied any knowledge of such an email. Crone said that he told Murdoch about the document -- a transcript of hacked private information about Gordon Taylor, chief exec of the Footballers' Association -- in a 15-minute meeting three years ago, which was also attended by Colin Myer, then editor of the News of the World. Crone added that it was at that meeting that he had been authorized by Murdoch to reach a 425,000 ($677,219) settlement with Taylor. Shortly after Crone's appearance in front of the committee, James Murdoch issued a statement saying he stands by the evidence he gave to the select committee back in July. My recollection of the meeting regarding the Gordon Taylor settlement is absolutely clear and consistent," said Murdoch in the statement. "I stand by my testimony, which is an accurate account of events. I was told by Mr. Crone and Mr. Myler when we met, in that short meeting, that the civil litigation related to the interception of Mr. Taylor's voicemails to which Mulcaire had pleaded guilty the previous year. I was informed, for the first time, that there was evidence that Mulcaire had carried out this interception on behalf of the News of the World. It was for this reason alone that Mr. Crone and Mr. Myler recommended settlement. It was in this context that the evidence was discussed. They did not show me the email, nor did they refer to Neville Thurlbeck." Crone's testimony, which saw him give evidence along with Myler, puts further pressure on James Murdoch after the phone-hacking scandal forced him to shutter 168-year-old News of the World in July. Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com