Nintendo and Sony Sued for Violating Controller Patents

Nintendo and Sony have been the latest video game manufacturers to be accused of infringing patents in producing video game controllers. Copper Innovations Group has commenced lawsuits in Pennsylvania alleging that Nintendo and Sony infringed a patent Copper filed in January 1996.

Nintendo may face additional claims as a video has been released of a “motion controller” being used by a former employer of Midway Games in 2000, several years before Nintendo released its famous Wii motion controller.

Sony previously settled another claim for a controller-related patent infringement as did Microsoft. The amounts of these settlements ($86 million paid by Sony and $26 million by Microsoft) were significant and definitely highlight the value of patents.

More coverage at Gamasutra and Kotaku