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Sony fined $18.5m for patent infringement

November 18, 2008 in News comments 12

Agere Systems filed suit against Sony more than two years ago for potential infringement, and a judge has just ruled in the former company's favour, fining Sony $18.5 million.

Agere Systems filed a suit against Sony for potential infringement on patents regarding "wireless local area network apparatus." Looks like the courts ruled in Agere Systems' favor. Sony has been fined $18.5 million for use of the technology in their devices, such as the mylo and PSP. The jury ruled that the patent infringement was willful.
chautemoc via pspfanboy.com »
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  • 0
    Cruxis Mana Nov 18, 08




    That's what happens...
  • 0
    FinalFantasyFanaticc Nov 18, 08
    Heh, seems sony just got served =d
  • 0
    Exevier Nov 19, 08
    wat

    Given, I'm too lazy to look into the details, but it just seems difficult to take these things seriously with patent-related lawsuits being thrown at gaming consoles left and right. I find it odd that one was actually successful, not to mention a little depressing. I've been intrigued in seeing the PS3's capabilities being taken advantage of in the future once the console got a little momentum, but something tells me $18.5 million is going to hurt Sony quite a bit. Hopefully the repercussions won't be all too significant.

    Where's God of War III when you need it?
    • 0
      Final Blade Nov 19, 08
      quote
      but something tells me $18.5 million is going to hurt Sony quite a bit.
      How so? This is Sony we're talking about, and that money isn't that significant. Sony may not have the amount MS has, but with all the business they have in many area's, this isn't that much. Its not going to hurt them at all. The fine however is ridiculous for what Silver Mirror just stated.
      • 0
        Kim Jong Il Nov 20, 08
        Don't be so thick. $18.5 million is not a small amount by anyone's standards.
        • 0
          Final Blade Nov 20, 08
          To the average joe, yea its alot. To a company like Sony who does have billions(although not alot as MS) this isn't that much to HURT THEM. Thus my point. Stop being a fool please. I said its not significant enough to HURT THEM. I never said it wasn't much overall.

          And before you quote something, everything I said about the money being not much was relating to this issue, and responding to Exevier about it not hurting them alot.
        • 0
          Exevier Nov 20, 08
          $18.5 million hurts, regardless of who you are, especially when it comes to something like this. I doubt tossing this money essentially down the drain is part of their business plan.
        • 0
          Final Blade Nov 20, 08
          Well yeah getting sued does suck, that's without question, but you stated:
          quote
          hurt Sony quite a bit
          While I stated they have alot of money that this amount won't really be detrimental to them or the PS3.
          This isn't the first time they've gotten sued and you don't see those times having a major effect.
        • 0
          Kim Jong Il Nov 20, 08
          An $18.5 million pound investment probably isn't a lot to Sony or Microsoft but when $18.5million goes out the window with nothing in return, it's a pretty big deal.

          You can't see this and yet you call me a fool.

          lol.
  • 3
    Bale Fire Nov 19, 08
    quote
    wireless local area network apparatus
    Wouldn't every wireless adapter ever made infringe on this?
  • 0
    Kim Jong Il Nov 19, 08
    To be fair, that's not that much to a company the size of Sony. And iirc, correctly $18.5m was the launch price of the PS3 in Australia.
  • 1
    HisServant77 Nov 19, 08
    I think people and companies just have it out for Sony with all these patents and everything . . .

    It's ridiculous, and irritating to say the least.

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