Nintendo is being sued again...

[theRepublic]

superchunk said:
Filed in may 2005... when was Wiimote revealed? E3 2005... I think... and wasn't that E3 still in March.... my history might be fuzzy here though.

It was the Tokyo Game Show on September 14, 2005.  The Wii was unveiled at E3, but the remote was still secret.

This suit is still going to lose though.  Here are a few reasons.

1. From UltimatePointer's patent:

"1. Field of the Invention 

The invention relates generally to devices for making presentations in front of audiences and, more specifically, to devices and methods for making presentations for which interaction with the displayed information through direct-pointing is desired or for which verbal interaction with the audience may be anticipated."

That has nothing to do with the Wii.

2. From the Background Art section of UltimatePointer's patent:

"introduction of wireless pointing devices such as the GYROMOUSE, as manufactured by Gyration, Inc."

Nintendo licensed several Gyration Inc. patents in developing the Wii remote.  Nintendo already covered themselves there.

3. The patent seems to make a big deal that it is a direct pointing system.  I would argue that the Wii remote is an indirect pointing system.  You are pointing at the Sensor Bar, not the actual screen where your pointer appears.  You could actually have the sensor bar to the left or right of the TV, it would just feel weird to use that way.

I would say that judging by the number of lawsuits that UltimatePointer has filed, they are just looking for a bunch of settlements.

(Oddly enough, Nintendo's patent for the Wii remote was not filed until March 2006.  Weird.  Also, it is disgusting the number of times Nintendo has been sued over the Wii remote.  I didn't realize how many it was until I spent a few minutes Googling this crap.)