Andy_Howells September 18, 2008 Wii 5 views Comments Print This Post  Email This Post

Enjoy throwing a nun-chuck around the house like a 15th century ninja?
Get all aroused by a bit of motion sensing equipment? Well you better
pay homage to Hillcrest labs, the company that pretty much has an air tight patent that covers motion-controlled devices.
The four patents are causing ripples for Nintendo who are facing a law suit after a complaint was filed in August to the US International Trade Commision who have accepted to have a closer look at the insinuation made by Hillcrest that the Wii infringes on their copyrights.

While the ITC have said that this most certainly is not an open and shut case,
they will definitely be investigating the claim deeply. If it is decided
that Hillcrest have a case, Nintendo will definitely be up a certain creek without a paddle.

According to Kotaku , if Nintendo and the Wii has violated “Section 337 of the Tariff Act (which is what Nintendo are being accused of by Hillcrest )
[they] can, if found guilty, be withdrawn from sale in the US, since
the law was established to prevent foreign imports from infringing upon
American patents.”

So if you want a Wii for Christmas, better
delve into your bat and cobweb filled wallets to treat yourself early,
because it’s possible your favourite machine could be sent right back
to Japan with it’s tail between its legs. Then again, with all the cash
Nintendo have, I’m sure they’ll probably reach some sort of settlement
even if they are found guilty.

- Andy Howells