Skip to main content

Viacom sues Harmonix for $131m

Claims original merger was miscalculated.

Dark blue icons of video game controllers on a light blue background
Image credit: Eurogamer

Shareholders in Rock Band developer Harmonix are being sued by the studio's former owner Viacom for a hefty $131 million.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Viacom claims "earn-out payments" made in its 2006 acquisition of the studio, intended to keep Harmonix management locked in after the deal was done, were miscalculated.

It originally paid $150 million for the developer, and wants all but $19 million of that back.

The suit follows Harmonix's own claim late last year that it is owed more than $13 million by Viacom on account of alleged unfair business practices.

Viacom sold Harmonix back to its management for pocket change as a tax write-off back in January, after the studio made losses of around $65 million in a single financial quarter.

Read this next