THQ may be a shell of its former publishing glory, however the corporation still exists. It’s sole purpose is to determine the rest assets divested and as many creditors repaid as possible in the course of the rest of the bankruptcy.

That entity has filed a lawsuit against EA and UFC owner Zuffa, Inc. over the settlement of THQ’s licensing agreement. The suit alleges that EA had intimate knowledge of THQ’s financial position as a result of exploration of a buyout. 

As we all know, EA declined to buy THQ, but not before receiving proprietary financial information. The THQ suit alleges that EA then conspired with Zuffa to free the license, which EA would then offer more for. 

Zuffa paid THQ $10 million to settle the license ($1.9 million of that is still unpaid with the previous sitting at the creditor list). THQ alleges tortious interference, claiming that EA solicited Zuffa and enabled a lower-than-reasonable settlement fee.

THQ also accuses EA and Zuffa of fraud, demanding that the license (or equivalent value plus interest, which THQ deems to be approximately $20 million) be restored to THQ, that Zuffa’s claim as a creditor be annulled, and that EA act as trustee of the license. The latter would mean that EA’s profits from its own UFC game (coming in 2014) would belong to THQ.

We contacted EA for comment. “We believe these claims are without merit,” a representative told us.

[Source: U.s.a. District Court For The District of Delaware via Polygon]

Our Take
THQ should prove collusion to ensure that its suit to search out purchase. It kind of feels late to be pursuing this action, and it leaves me wondering if those left running the corporate during its death throes have recently discovered something that may be used as legitimate evidence.