AfterDawn: News

Nintendo loses controller patent infringement case

A federal jury has ruled in favor of a small Texas gaming company Anascape, announcing that Nintendo will have to pay the company $21 million USD for infringing patents while designing controllers for the Wii and Gamecube consoles.

The lawsuit was originally filed in late 2006 and was filed against Microsoft as well. The software giant however decided to settle the case out of court before the trial began.



Nintendo spokesman Charlie Scibetta added that the company is looking to appeal and "expects the court to reduce the award significantly."

The patents infringed had to do with the designs of the Wii Classic, WaveBird and Gamecube controllers. Scibettra added the company was pleased that no infringement was found having to do with any motion-sensing technology, such as the Wii and Nunchuck controllers.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 15 May 2008 18:26

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• 7 comments

• iluvendo

  Oh well ??!!

  15.5.2008 18:28 #1

• Solo_Tek

  Question?
  
  You figure with all the hype surrounding consoles when they are in development, i.e. showing photos, videos of using the controllers and the specs sometimes leak. That a company would keep and eye out for one of these companies and make sure their is no infringement. And you cant tell me that if they develop these items they know whats going on in the industry so why would they wait to say something, why not say something before it hits the market.
  
  So 2 possible answers:
  
  1. The company knew what was going on and kept hush hush until the consoles hit the shelves and then hit the console makers with a suite to make some cash.
  
  2. They specifically knew that companies where going to design products this way and made and patented a product so vague they could file suit on similar items.
  
  But how do these make it through patents and the patent offices not see that the products are infringing on another companies rights?
  
  These questions just pooped into my head, I maybe wrong or on not on the right track but just a few questions.

  15.5.2008 19:00 #2

• lxfactor

  well if u would read.. and know how court systems work.. it wasnt a cake walk..
  
  http://news.justia.com/cases/featured/te...6cv00158/97919/
  
  and they did file way before the wii was released.. it just takes godly time before a final desicion.. and if they do in fact have the proper copyright claims.. they get some money..
  
  convince the jury.. make the bread =]

  15.5.2008 19:25 #3

• ripxrush

  if Nintendo waited to clear every possible infringement they will still have not released the Wii yet!

  16.5.2008 01:09 #4

• c1c

  21 million isn't bad compared to all the money nintendo has made.

  16.5.2008 10:34 #5

• goodswipe

  Originally posted by c1c: 21 million isn't bad compared to all the money nintendo has made.Yea, LMAO...
  
  This money was made in 5 minutes from just Mario Kart alone. Drop in the bucket for Nintendo.

  16.5.2008 11:22 #6

• emugamer

  Quote:Originally posted by c1c: 21 million isn't bad compared to all the money nintendo has made.Yea, LMAO...
  
  This money was made in 5 minutes from just Mario Kart alone. Drop in the bucket for Nintendo.Or they can leak a Mario hot coffee patch that lets the player see Peach doing unmentionable things to inhabitants of the mushroom Kingdom. That would drive sales!

  16.5.2008 12:16 #7