Nintendo to Join Sony in Controller Hell?

[Zilla Man]

If the filers of this suit have their way:

http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4365&Itemid=2

A leading electronic interface company this week filed a suit against Nintendo in a Delaware court claiming that the Wii’s trigger-happy controller infringes on existing patents.

"In a court filing snagged by gaming blog Kotaku, Camarillo, California-based Interlink Electronics accuses Nintendo of selling infringing products in the district of Delaware, where the company holds some of its operations.

Interlink’s “Trigger Operated Electronic Device” patent (no. 6,850,221), filed in September 1997 and issued February 1, 2005, describes an “ergonomically effective mouse for operating a computer.”

The patent also reads, “This invention relates to a trigger operated electronic device. In particular, it concerns a mouse for operating a cursor in a computer system.”

Of course, the Nintendo Wii has a trigger-operated controller which is also used as a pointing device. Diagrams from Interlink’s patent bear a passing resemblance to the Wii Remote.

There does seem to be a significant difference between Interlink’s patent and Nintendo’s design, however. Whereas Nintendo’s controller moves an on-screen cursor by moving the actual input device in 3D, Interlink’s patent describes a pointing mechanism that centers around a touch-sensitive pad and buttons, not the movement of the entire unit (“The multiple control elements are responsive to finger pressure to operate switch elements…”).

Still, the suit primarily takes issue with the trigger element that is shared between the two designs.

Interlink said that because of the alleged infringement, it has suffered damages including loss of royalties and reduced sales and profits. The company is seeking a restraining order against the sale of Nintendo’s controller as well as three times the assessed damages including interest. Reimbursement of legal fees is also being pursued.

A trial by jury has been demanded as well.

Requests for comment from Interlink and Nintendo had not been returned as of press time.

[Update] Nintendo has since contacted Next-Gen, stating "Nintendo doesn't comment on pending litigation." Interlink has yet to comment."

I'll be curious to see how this turns out. I didn't think that Immersion had anything substatial in its suit but we all know what happened there.

Of couse, according to Gaddy, this is "great news" because it keeps Nintendo in the media.:rolleyes:

[Mochan]

This is even stupider than the Immersion suit, and only in America would you see something like this actually work.

[Gadfly2317]

Of couse, according to Gaddy, this is "great news" because it keeps Nintendo in the media.:rolleyes:

And you are rolling eyes, why? Because you can't tell the difference between a lawsuit that isn't getting much airplay, and a "fluffy" holiday news story that focused more on images of gamers enjoying the Wii "too much" as it did on "the horror and tragedy" of dropping your controller after breaking a wrist strap?

I mean come on. I can take a ribbing, but at least do it about something legit. You don't think I made a valid point about the "flying controllers" coverage being actually a really good advertisement for the Wii? Did you see any of those TV network morning news show stories about it?

Regarding the Immersion suit against Sony, the reason I thought it was valid was because I read their filing and it made total sense. It was not a "passing resemblence. . . " the force-feedback Sony used was virtually identical to that patented (and licensed to other companies) by Immersion. Nintendo's rumble was not similar, thus Nintendo has not been sued by Immersion. And it wasn't just some lone rube judge, by the way: at every level of appeal Immersion beat Sony, so people can keep doing the fanboy "Immersion robbed Sony with frivolous lawsuit" shuck and jive, but I'd love to see a solid argument to back that up.

Regarding this suit below, I don't know enough to form a solid opinion, and I also don't know anything about Interlink, or how similar in function and internal technology its patented mouse-design is to the Wii-mote, although the article you posted does say:

"There does seem to be a significant difference between Interlink’s patent and Nintendo’s design, however. Whereas Nintendo’s controller moves an on-screen cursor by moving the actual input device in 3D, Interlink’s patent describes a pointing mechanism that centers around a touch-sensitive pad and buttons, not the movement of the entire unit (“The multiple control elements are responsive to finger pressure to operate switch elements…”).

It sounds as though Interlink's primary beef is that like the Wii, they have a "trigger" underneath their pointer. But then, so did the N64 controller, which Nintendo should have an easy time laying out the evolution of their controllers and their foundations on the controllers that came before it.

This is even stupider than the Immersion suit, and only in America would you see something like this actually work. Being one of the more technologically knowledgeable members of the forum, maybe you can explain why the Immersion lawsuit was stupid, or why Immersion won at every level Sony appealed.

[Mochan]

You know what would be really funny, though? Sony succeds in patenting the Wii remote, then sues Interlink's ass off for selling a similar product.

As for Immersion's claim, I really don't know. I haven't seen a real Immersion device other than the licensed ones to Logitech and similar companies, and I have not seen what Immersion's vibration libraries look like (or Sony's for that matter). I just still think it's a tad stupid, but then maybe that's because I'm used to seeing cheap rip offs of popular products here in this part of the world.

[ilnadmy]

Wow, then Sony should sue MS for adding quasi-L1 and R1 triggers the 360.

This lawsuit is simply ridiculous, and someone in Interlink's legal department needs to be shot.

[trebor]

You know what would be really funny, though? Sony succeds in patenting the Wii remote, then sues Interlink's ass off for selling a similar product

Does anyone honestly think that Nintendo hadn't filed for patents for pretty much any possible patentable technology that the Wiimote uses, long before Sony had the idea to try and rip it off?

[GameLegend]

I dont think any of us have any real understanding of the details each product has made in their patent to justify if one product is copying another. That goes for Sony/Immersion and Nintendo/Interlink lawsuits.

Its great all of you want to mention your opinion about a certain lawsuit, but none of it is justified without solid understanding of the issue. U have your conclusion (opinion) but no sound premiss, therefore, no argument.

Do I sound like a smart ass i dont mean to be, i cant stand when people blabber over issues that have no understanding over.

[NEO-360]

Considering that they are the innovators of the videogame industry. I thought people being mugged and shot over PS3's was more important news. Apparently not. I dont think Nintendo would do that though.:confused:

[ilnadmy]

GameLegend, we're just reading the article and taking it from there. According to the article, Interlink is suing Nintendo over the trigger they're using in their controller. Seriously? Triggers have been around in controllers for ages, so I don't see what the big fuss is about.

[Gadfly2317]

I wonder if all the psychotic obsessive Nintendo fans have been bombarding the company with hate e-mail and death threats. Which would be cool. And fun. And here's the company's website I believe:

www.interlinkelectronics.com/

The reason I'm notsure it's the companies website is because it won't pull up right now. I am curious if anyone else has been able to research this company. Are they going down the toilet and the suit is a last act of desperation? Knowing something about this company might let us know more about the likelyhood of this lawsuit going anywhere.

The reason I thought the Immersion case stood a chance is because not only was Immersions patent very specific, but their rumble technology was licensed to other companies for use, and was collecting money for them. Thus, not only were they able to demonstrate the technology they created before Sony was being used by Logitech (who paid for it) and Sony (who didn't), Immersion was actually able to demonstrate financial harm done to it by Sony. Also, they were a company with the resources to pursue their patent infringment claim against Sony.

Whereas, it sounds as though Interlinks patent was some old idea they never implemented--and it's an idea whose application in no way relates to what the Wii controller is used for, or how it functions. And if Interlink turns out to be some little piss-ant company (and it wouldn't suprise me since there are so many cheesy online companies named Interlink) I doubt they can really afford to go far with this.

This reminds me of Homer Simpson's attempt to name his own online company. Remember what he came up with? "Cutco, Edgecom, and Interslice."

Interlink? Doh!!!!!

[NEO-360]

GameLegend, we're just reading the article and taking it from there. According to the article, Interlink is suing Nintendo over the trigger they're using in their controller. Seriously? Triggers have been around in controllers for ages, so I don't see what the big fuss is about.

Me either. I'm sure this thing wont stick. Nintendo should come through this with flying colors.:cool:

[silversparrow]

Does anyone honestly think that Nintendo hadn't filed for patents for pretty much any possible patentable technology that the Wiimote uses, long before Sony had the idea to try and rip it off?

The patent process is very slow. Sometimes it can even take as long as a decade to get them. Unless Nintendo came up with the Wiimote many years ago, they're probably still engaged in all the legal work.

[Superior Beatslayer]

Me either. I'm sure this thing wont stick. Nintendo should come through this with flying colors.:cool:

It's Nindendo, of course they will.