Nintendo Wii accused of infringing US Patent

US-based Hillcrest Laboratories has filed a complaint with the US International Trade Commission (ITC), alleging that Nintendo has infringed Hillcrest’s patents in the making of its Wii video game. Wii has been a great success since its launch in 2006. If it is found that the Wii video game was made with infringed technology, the ITC has the power to bar the game from the US.

Hillcrest has also filed a similar patent infringement suit in the U.S. District Court in Maryland.

Hillcrest has offered motion-detecting technology since 2001, allowing users to use a handheld device to interact with digital media displayed on a television screen, and says that they have licensed its technology to leading consumer electronics companies, including Eastman Kodak. The Wii features a handheld motion-sensing controller that allows users to direct play on a television screen, by swinging it like a golf club or a baseball bat.

Nintendo said that although it respects the patents of other companies, it did not infringe Hillcrest’s patents and will “vigorously defend” its position.

Danie Pienaar
Candidate Attorney
danie-p@adamsadams.co.za

James Davies
Partner
james-d@adamsadams.co.za