According to Activision, Harmonix and MTV were the companies blocking progress--not Activision, its subsidiary publisher Red Octane, and Guitar Hero III developer Neversoft.

"The recent announcement by MTV Games/Viacom's Harmonix division that Activision is blocking Sony from releasing a patch and their plea to enable Rock Band software to work with Guitar Hero hardware paints a very misleading picture," reads the statement, released to the press tonight.

"In fact, Harmonix and its parent company MTV Games/Viacom recently declined Activision's offer to reach an agreement that would allow the use of Guitar Hero guitar controllers with Rock Band, the statement continues. "We have been and remain open to discussions with Harmonix and MTV Games/Viacom about the use of our technology in Rock Band. Unfortunately for Rock Band users, in this case Harmonix and MTV Games/Viacom are unwilling to discuss an agreement with Activision."

The nature of Activision's proposed agreement was not stated. "Activision's top priority is to provide consumers with a seamless marriage of best-in-class hardware and software. We are focusing our efforts on innovating hardware and software that are designed to work together, work flawlessly and provide an enjoyable gaming experience," concludes the statement.

Meanwhile, platform holder Sony Computer Entertainment has declined to comment in any significant way on the matter. "At SCEA, we of course want this resolved and to ensure the best possible gaming experience," the company said in a statement. "We encourage MTV, Harmonix and Activision to discuss this among themselves so there can be an amicable resolution in the best interest of the consumer."