SONY, PATENT PENDING

[shams]

windbane said:

shams said:
Doesn't mean anything. All companies try and issue as many patents as they can - primarily for "protection" these days. Patents are very easy to submit/get, and almost impossible to defend. M$ for instance, issues thousands of patents a year - on just about everything they can. Nintendo has a number of patents relating to "pointing" technology, so if Sony tried to use a similar technique - Nintendo could drag them to court.

Yeah, that patent for a 80gb PS3 didn't mean anything. And all the sudden Nintendo has the monopoly on "pointing " devices? Oh I see. Shouldn't Sony be already in court for having remotes for their TVs, then?

Note the phrase "drag to court" - which is literally what happens when patents are infringed.

If Sony was to release an "exact" copy of the Wiimote, Nintendo would get them for copyright infringement (i.e. an "exact" copy).

If Sony was to release a one-handed PS3 controller, that used pointing technology - Nintendo could try to get them on patent infringement (and would probably lose). It should be noted that Nintendo did NOT invent the Wiimote - and the patent I have seen does not apply to the technology - rather it applies to a type of gameplay/player action, that you would use the Wiimote for.

Nintendo (like any other company) would work out how much the lawsuit would cost, vrs how much they could sue Sony for - and determine whether it was worth it. Its not going to happen, as Sony has no plans to rip-off the Wiimote (anytime soon...).