Video game publisher Electronic Arts (EA) has filed a suit against Zynga for copyright violation pertaining to its "The Sims Social" Facebook game.

EA accused the maker of the widely popular “Ville” social games of copying the elements of The Sims Social.

General Manager Lucy Bradshaw, of The Sims franchise developer EA Maxis Label, said, "The Ville," Zynga's Facebook game, "copied the original and distinctive expressive elements of The Sims Social in a clear violation of the U.S. copyright laws."

Bradshaw added that the similarities between "The Ville" and "The Sims Social" are so frequent that they go well beyond any superficial resemblance.

"The Ville," introduced in June, builds on technology found in previous -Ville games, such as "CityVille" and "CastleVille," said Reggie David, Zynga's general counsel, in an emailed statement.

EA’s "The Sims" video game allows players to simulate lives in a virtual city. Zynga's “The Ville” game also allows people to create virtual lives in a range of settings.

But, Zynga's general counsel Reggie David refuted EA’s accusations, claiming "The Ville" is based on technology found in the company’s previous Ville games, such as "CastleVille” and "CityVille."