Microsoft sued over 'stolen' game

ACADEMY Award-winning screenwriter Roger Avary is suing software giant Microsoft in California for allegedly stealing his idea for a virtual yoga studio.

Avary, who won a best screenplay Oscar for Pulp Fiction, says the software firm sought advice from him on how to attract more women to its video game range.

He says he met several times with the Microsoft team and gave them a detailed outline of the game to be played on the Xbox console and featuring yoga poses.

Afterwards, Avary said he heard little more from Microsoft and was 'shocked' to read newspaper accounts of Microsoft's new Xbox application called 'Yourself! Fitness'.

The game is published by ResponDesign, but Avary claims it is almost identical to his own concept and is seeking at least $30m (£16.3m) and punitive damages from Microsoft and ResponDesign. He also wants an injunction against further sales of the game.

ResponDesign chief executive Ted Spooner said the claims are 'completely false' and insisted Microsoft did not participate in development of the product.

'We've invested the hearts, minds and souls of our 16 employees in creating this product...it is a wholly original idea we had with Microsoft,' he said.

But Avary says ResponDesign was founded after his meetings with Microsoft and that its founder had 'a long prior history with Microsoft'.

Microsoft declined to comment.