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Yet more ridiculous gaming lawsuits! This time, the Copper Innovations Group are suing both Sony and Ninendo for "stealing" an idea they patented twelve years ago. They claim that the Wiimote and SIXAXIS controllers are apparently breaching their copyright.
In 1996, Copper filed for a patent which "covers a method for connecting devices to a system and sorting their inputs by means of hardware identification numbers tied to each transmission". If they win the case, Sony and Nintendo must pay for damages, as well as halt any more "devices" that infringe the patent. (Which mayvery well mean no more Wiimote or SIXAXIS controllers).
Ever since Immersion Corporation won its lawsuit against Sony over the rumble technology in PlayStation and PlayStation 2 DualShock controllers (and eventually forced nearly $100 million in damages and interest from the electronics giant), patent litigation has been a subject of keen interest in the gaming industry.
The latest dispute comes from the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, where Copper Innovations Group late last month filed suit against Nintendo and Sony for a patent it holds on a "Hand Held Computer Input Apparatus and Method."
The patent--which was filed in January of 1996--covers a method for connecting devices to a system and sorting their inputs by means of hardware identification numbers tied to each transmission. According to the suit, Nintendo and Sony are violating the Copper Innovations Group's patent by making and selling their systems and controllers. The Wii Remote, Wii Nunchuk, Sixaxis controller, and Blu-ray Remote Control are all named in the suit as infringing products.
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Most recently commented on by on Jan 18, 2008
Most recently commented on by on Jan 18, 2008
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But seriously, they should be grateful that "their" device, after some modifications, is being used all over the world.
Although they wont win obviuosly, no one ever does
I do like how that CPG decided not to speak up until now. The designs for the SIXAXIS and Wiimote were well known of before either console released. Unless every party member in that corporation have been sleeping in caves for the past few years, they should've made a move on this long ago. It seems like it took them way too long to justify this.
I mean, if a company steals your idea and is making millions, you put your foot down on spot. You don't wait two or three years and find a way to carefully and intricately nail someone with word play. That's ridiculous.
It's a bit odd for them to think that hardware #'s are assigned to the controllers though, anyone who has used a sixaxis or wiimote on a system knows that the controller assignments can be re-arranged, heck even the 360 can do it.
More bs lawsuits for companies hoping to score some money. Had they a product had they some proof of concept, it might be honorable, in this case it's just them trying not to close shop because they sent in as many patent apps as they could.
Meh, there's bound to be a 'stealing of ideas,' though. There's 6 billion people on the planet, and it's not like fingerprints or other genetics that distinguishes between everyone...someone's ideas may also be thought up by someone else half-way across the world. Patent or not, who could have known? :S Granted they should have done their research, but I wouldn't have expected a company to 'patent' something as simple as this...
The topic title's a bit misleading to me, GG. Isn't it about the input sorting than the motion-sensor ability?
plus if the wiimote goes away i'll have to pay a trip to pennsylvania.
"Copper filed for a patent which 'covers a method for connecting devices to a system and sorting their inputs by means of hardware identification numbers tied to each transmission'." Well, how else do you send information (push X... now Y... shoot that soldier with R!) to the game console? Psychic ability?
Edit: I saw the weird wireless mouse whatever diagram for the image on the article... and somehow, I doubt that that is involved in any way with the Wiimote.
They patented it 12 years ago?
Either they have no way of suing anyone on it anymore (Eg. Its used by everyone) or there patent wasn't quite what they claim it was...
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