Beyonce loses 1st round in video-game legal fight, but might end up as winner

Superstar Beyonce's first attempt to shoot down a video-game manufacturer in a $100m legal battle was off target, but she might score a direct hit in the next round.

Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Charles Ramos told Beyonce's lawyers last month that he was denying their motions for dismissal on the technical grounds they raised — but still might toss the entire case on the overall merits.

"This record screams out for it…I'm serious. This is close," the judge said in a transcript obtained by the Daily News.

"I don't want to see this case get protracted," he told Beyonce's lawyers, Jordan Siev and David Kochman.

The case focuses on a $100 million deal that Beyonce was negotiating with Gate Five LLC for an interactive videogame. Viewers imitating her in front of a screen would get praise or advice from the singer in her voice.

Gate Five accused Beyonce of a "double cross" by pulling out of the talks at the last minute and demanding a sweeter contract.

However, according to the transcript, Beyonce withdrew from the talks when she learned that Gate Five was proposing at the last minute to eliminate her 40% ownership stake in the franchise.

"It's a completely different deal. We're talking apples and oranges here," Siev said.

The attorneys for the pregnant songstress declined to comment. Gate Five's lawyer Peter Gallagher did not return multiple phone calls.

(Published by NY Daily News - December 11, 2011)