From Nintendo Forums.
Source: Bit-tech.net- http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2006/03/13/sony_dual_shock_patent/
Sony loses Dual Shock patent case
"Reports are trickling through this evening that Sony has indeed lost its patent case against Immersion technologies and will be forced to halt sales of its PS2 console.
Immersion last year sued Sony for infringing on its patents. Immersion claims that it owns the technology that powers the rumble in Sony's Dual Shock controllers. It also sued Microsoft for its rumble features in the Xbox, but the boys from Redmond settled out of court.
Sony fought on, and lost a case last year. However, it's been allowed to continue selling the PS2 pending appeal. If the latest reports are verified, it's lost that appeal today.
This means that Sony not only has to pony up and awful lot of cash to Immersion Technologies, but it has to stop infringing on the patent - that means stop selling kit which includes Dual Shock technology, and that means pulling the PS2 off the shelf
. Commentators are wondering if this case is the reason for the PS3 controller redesign that we've seen - it's possible the horrendous boomerang monstrosity doesn't infringe on patents.
Interestingly, Immersion is owned in part by Nintendo. The next-generation battle just took another twist..."
Think this may lead to bigger things? Post your thoughts.
Wow... can this really happen? Will we really see PS2s being pulled from the shelves?
What will Sony do about this?
Is this even real (many other sites have said the something about this as well)?
If this is true, how long will it take for Sony to make new rumbling technology or... whatever and get PS2's back on the shelves (sorry, I've never seen something like this, so I don't know how it'll be handled)?
Has Sony been trying at least SOMETHING to stop this?
"Sony has been paying Immersion 1.37 percent of its quarterly revenue from PlayStation sales under a compulsory license ordered by the judge, but Immersion's standard rate is 5 percent, and the company hopes to use the injunction to force a settlement deal that reflects the higher rate, he (Vic Vegas, Immersion's cheif executive officer) said."
Link: http://news.com.com/Sony+loses+round+in+DualShock+patent+case/2100-1047_3-6049177.html
I'm sorta... at a loss for words...
This news is under a day old.
Shia Kyosuka, Signing off.
*Lame generic news theme music*
Way to fuel the console wars, dude - newsflash: this is hardly going to kill Sony. Here's hoping this thread doesn't get locked 'cause of more bickering, I'd be interested to hear more about this.
