Some people will go to any lengths to avoid a subpoena.

UPDATE: It seems the staff exodus has begun in earnest. According to a report published on Kotaku, at least 11 Infinity Ward employees have now followed West and Zampella out the door, among them key designers, programmers, artists and animators.

ORIGINAL STORY: There is indeed life after Infinity Ward for Jason West and Vince Zampella. Just a month after Activision kicked them to the curb amidst allegations of insubordination, the former studio heads are back in business. Respawn Entertainment (see what they did there?) will be an independent company with the studio owners retaining full ownership of any intellectual property produced. West and Zampella also announced that its titles will be distributed exclusively by Activision’s arch rival, Electronic Arts.

Will the establishment of Respawn Entertainment lead to an exodus at Infinity Ward? It’s probably too early to tell, but as reported by Kotaku and CVG, three Infinity Ward staff members, all veterans of the Call of Duty franchise, have resigned in recent weeks. Activision has now lodged a lawsuit, according to a report published on IGN. Among other things, the new suit alleges that West and Zampella, while employed by Activision, negotiated agreements with the publisher’s rivals and attempted to coerce Infinity Ward staff into joining them at a new company. West and Zampella have denied all claims.

Respawn Entertainment is yet to reveal the nature of its inaugural project.