Konami has long claimed to hold the original rhythm game patents, having pioneered the genre with its Guitar Freaks and DrumMania arcade titles. The publisher sued Harmonix last year, claiming that Rock Band amounted to patent infringement. Now Viacom is claiming in a countersuit that Harmonix' games represent improvements over Konami's original patent, apparently arguing that Rock Revolution has more in common with Rock Band than Konami's original rhythm games.

Viacom/Harmonix is seeking damages and a motion to stop Konami from selling Rock Revolution.