Speaking of Nintendo, the company was cleared today in federal appeals court of another company’s claims that its controllers violated its patents, reversing a jury’s findings of patent infringement and a $21 million judgment.
The jury back in 2008 found that the WaveBird and standard controllers for the previous Nintendo console, the GameCube, as well as the Classic Controller for the Wii, infringed on Anasape’s patent for a wireless vibrating controller. Anascape also said the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers infringed on their design, but the jury did not agree.
Hit the jump for Nintendo’s full gloaty statement.
Federal Circuit Court Vindicates Nintendo in Patent Lawsuit
Court Overturns Verdict of East Texas Jury
REDMOND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Today the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled that none of Nintendo’s video game controllers infringe on a patent asserted by Anascape, Ltd.
Nintendo had been accused by Anascape, Ltd., of infringing on U.S. Patent No. 6,906,700. The case was tried before a jury in the Eastern District of Texas in May 2008. The jury found that neither the motion-sensing Wii Remote™ controller, nor the Nunchuk™ controller, infringes on the patent. However, the jury found that the Classic Controller™ for the Wii™ console, and the WaveBird™ and standard controllers for Nintendo GameCube™ did infringe on the patent. Today’s decision, however, completely reversed the jury’s findings of infringement.
“In 2008, the jury determined that the Wii Remote and Nunchuk did not infringe,” said Nintendo of America General Counsel Rick Flamm. “Today the Federal Circuit’s ruling confirmed that none of Nintendo’s controllers infringe. We appreciate that our position has been vindicated.”
For reference, the case is Anascape, Ltd. v. Nintendo of America Inc. and the citation is 2008-1500.
