Nintendo Okie

Nintendo was very recently vindicated in their patent infringement case against some of their controllers.  That means it’s time for a new challenger to step up to the plate.  This time it’s IA Labs with a patent infringement lawsuit that covers the Nintendo Wii, Wii Fit, Wii Fit Plus, the Wii Balance Board, Wii Remote, Wii Wheel, Wii MotionPlus, Wii Nunchuck and Wii Zapper. 

The patents in question are “Computer interactive isometric exercise system and method for operatively interconnecting the exercise system to a computer system for use as a peripheral” and “Force measurement system for an isometric exercise device.”

The company says they’ve been in contact with Nintendo and that they wanted to license the technology to them sometime between 2007 and 2008.  They were also talking to Nintendo about a product called Sqweeze that is designed to get people more active while they’re playing video games.  The device was to have worked with both the Wii console and the PC.  They’re seeking an injunction against Nintendo and that a judge declares that they are in fact infringing on their patents. 

It’s going to be interesting to see how this one turns out.  It’s also curious to know why, since the system has been out for almost four years, that people are just now coming out claiming that they’ve been damaged by the system.  You never pick on the little guys.  It’s always the ones that have money that you can take. 

Source: Gamasutra