Ubisoft goes after author in Assassin's Creed dispute

Author John L. Beiswenger had sued Ubisoft, claiming its popular Assassin's Creed franchise had too many similarities to his 2002 novel, Link. Both share chair-shaped devices that allow characters to relive memories of ancestors. Two days ago, Beiswenger backed away from the case, with the option of revisiting it later.

Ubisoft isn't sitting idly by, however. Instead, it's asking the court to declare the author's original suit as "without merit" to eliminate the chance the case is reopened.

The French publisher filed its own complaint against Beiswenger, asking the court to declare once and for all that the author's case was frivolous, according to court documents obtained by Gamasutra. Ubisoft said in its complaint that a declaration by the court would allow it to continue with its work on the Assassin's Creed franchise "free from the cloud that Beiswenger's meritless claims have placed over Ubisoft's right to do so." The company also wants the author to pay all costs and legal fees associated with the case.

Beiswenger previously settled a similar claim out of court on May 18 against GameTrailers, with terms undisclosed. The suit was based on footage of Assassin's Creed Revelations shown on an episode of GTTV.