Nintendo Loses $21m In Infringement Dispute News
Chris Leyton
15/05/2008
Judge orders Nintendo to fork out some of the millions it's been making after infringing patents related to the GameCube & Wii Classic Controller...
Following a long-running legal dispute between Anascape, a small Texan gaming company, and Nintendo of America, a federal judge today found in favour of Anascape and ordered Nintendo of America to pay $21 million in damages for infringing patents owned
The patents span from 2001 to 2005 and collectively titled the "Nintendo Infringed Patents" cover such technology as 'Variable Sensor with tactile Feedback', and '3D Controller with Vibration' amongst others.
The jury behind the decision found that the infringement relates to the original GameCube controller and WaveBird variation, along with the Wii Classic Controller.
Nintendo spokesman Charlie Scibetta said the company will seek an appeal and expects the court to reduce the award "significantly." Scibetta also stated that Nintendo was pleased no infringement was found with the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers.
Anascape had also threatened to take Microsoft to court over infringements; however the Seattle giant reached an agreement with Anascape before the start of the trial against Nintendo.