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Wii Classic and GameCube Controllers could be banned

July 22, 2008 in News comments 26

Because of a patent infringement that Nintendo lost and Anascape Ltd. won, the selling of classic controllers for the Wii, the GameCube, and the WaveBird controller is no more. The Nunchuk controller was not banned because it does not actually violate the patent. When Nintendo asked for a new trail, U.S. District Judge Ron Clark denied it and now Nintendo is appealing to the U.S. Court of Appeals.

Nintendo Co., the world's biggest maker of handheld game machines, is facing a ban on sales of some controllers for its Wii and GameCube systems after it lost a bid to overturn a $21 million patent-infringement verdict.

U.S. District Judge Ron Clark in Lufkin, Texas, rejected Nintendo's request for a new trial in the case won by closely held Anascape Ltd. of Tyler, Texas. He said that he would stop sales of the Wii Classic Controller, WaveBird controller and Nintendo GameCube. His ban will be put on hold while Nintendo appeals the verdict to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, according to Anascape lawyer Doug Cawley.
tyranitar24 via bloomberg.com »
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  • 0
    Cruxis Mana Jul 22, 08
    Get them while you still can kids !
  • -1
    Paper Mario Dude Jul 22, 08
    this is bull.
    the gamecube controller is basically the same as the PS2, just fatter.
    i hate all these companies, making random patents, and sueing years and years later.
    god, what is this shit?
    i bet if they had so called "infringed" upon Nintendo's idea, Nintendo either wouldnt care, or they would try to sue them, but that company probobly doesnt have any money!
    • 0
      Guticb Jul 22, 08
      Sony and Microsoft both settled with Anascape though. Nintendo chose to fight them in court.
  • 1
    Evil Parrot Jul 22, 08
    Where was this company when the Gamecube came out?

    >.>
    • 0
      Akira_EX Jul 22, 08
      Didn't you hear? The GameCube didn't sell too hot.
      • 0
        Capn Droid Jul 22, 08
        It's selling any hotter now?
        • 3
          Cruxis Mana Jul 22, 08
          No, but now that Nintendo have made millions of dollars on the Wii, it seems a good time to sue to make sure you get your moneys worth.
  • 0
    iLLmatic Jul 22, 08
    Wow could you imagine what what happen to the Wii if there was a ban on the Wiimote.
  • 0
    therealNgamer Jul 22, 08
    This is bull shit. How can a company patent the idea "to control six types of motions at the same time"? That is what I would consider too vague. From what I understand, Nintendo can't sell GCN or Classic controllers anymore because they have six buttons? That is complete and utter bull shit. By that logic, Panasonic could sue Sony because their TV remote has the same amount of buttons, or Yamaha could sue Korg because their piano has the same number of keys.
  • 0
    Pyrazor Jul 22, 08
    I'd imagine Nintendo would have to release a firmware update barring those devices. Hopefully not though, that would kill Brawl completely.
    • 1
      Akira_EX Jul 22, 08
      It's not a ban in that sense. It's a ban in that from whenever the courts start to enforce this, they won't be able to sell new ones.

      This mostly impacts the Classic Controller, and I guess the White GameCube controller.

      Again, this would be a ban on the sale of such goods by Nintendo.
  • 0
    Sakuraba Neku Jul 22, 08
    I can imagine everyone in the world getting custom firmware if we can't use our GC and CC controllers anymore.
  • 1
    sonyandnintendorule Jul 23, 08
    dammit didn't evev get 2 play any gc games
  • 4
    Dio Jul 23, 08
    Ugh, I hate companies that sit on their patents and wait to sue big name companies who actually make use of the technology.
    • 0
      iLLmatic Jul 24, 08
      Your average everyday person does the same thing with patents and web domains. It's a good way to make money.
  • 2
    Remino52 Jul 23, 08
    I'm glad I already have these things.
  • 1
    HisServant77* Jul 23, 08
    Ugh, All this garbage about suing and everything is just plain getting out of hand. It's utterly ridiculous! And like it was mentioned above, they wait until their so-called patented idea makes lots of money, becomes well-known, and THEN sues.

    You know, I've got a few things planned to patent and everything. But if someone were to try to use my patents, I'd let them know from the start not to do it. People and even companies need to get ethics and morals back into them, instead of worshiping the mighty dollar bill. Businesses and companies that have ethical and moral standards and keep to them, stand out more than the rest, and are trusted better!
  • 0
    Symphonic Abyss Jul 23, 08
    XD. I have both of these things. Lucky me!
  • 0
    DragoniteBallZ Jul 23, 08
    I won't get banned. Usually these type of disputes are settled unless Nintendo does something stupid.
    • 3
      Raziel_326 Jul 23, 08
      quote
      I won't get banned.
      You won't? Well *bleep*...
  • 0
    Chekkaa* Jul 23, 08
    Good thing I already have a couple of Wavebirds.

    I can see where Anascape is coming from, but it really is kind of mean and lazy, even if it does make money.
  • 0
    McClubbin Jul 23, 08
    I'm extending my thanks to the douchebags at Anascape. Way to go for depriving Wii and GCN owners the chance to buy the controllers. As if a new GCN controller wasn't hard enough to come by. Also, what happens to third-parties such as Nyko and Gamestop who make their own controllers?
    • 0
      Slumpy monkey Jul 23, 08
      I doubt Anascape would care what you think with all the dosh there going to get.

      Its a smart move on their part, There is no morals in business, get over it. Maybe Nintendo should have checked for patents before creating the controllers? Ever thought of that? People don't get patents to allow other people to use it.
  • 3
    BANDITO ATTACK Jul 23, 08
    damn i need to start filing some patents.
  • 0
    therealNgamer Jul 24, 08
    If only Phoenix Write were real; then none of this would have happened!
  • 0
    JRYDER101 Jul 25, 08
    i really like the gamecube controler i alwase ust to be playin on my gamecube when i was young on zelda and aslo mario cart brilliant games and also brilliant classics know

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