Sony loses Dual Shock patent case

Trevor Edwards · 20-03-06, 06:34 AM

Reports are trickling through 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...

Source: http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2006/03...l_shock_patent

GingerTez · 20-03-06, 08:49 AM

yea, I read about this a while ago before Sony appealed again. Some commentators are saying that Nintendo and Microsoft are 'in bed together' as MS were allowed to settle out of court but as far as I'm aware Sony didn't ever try to settle out of court and are now going to have to pay the price.

(There was also a rumour that MS were going to buy a large stake in Immersion too, so that they could 'shaft' Sony too - don't think that ever happened though).

Cheers,
Tez.

bruffterman · 20-03-06, 03:49 PM

what is the patent exactly? cos obviously vibrators existed before the N64 rumble pack.

Trevor Edwards · 20-03-06, 05:29 PM

was that a sexual inuendo?

im sure sony will find a way around it

A few years ago dyson used to sue all the other vacuum companys that were making bagless vacuum cleaners.
but now the companys have found anotherway of making a bagless hover with out infringing dyson's patent.

You see were im going with this one?

Simon · 20-03-06, 05:46 PM

lol if not, hopefully sony dualshock controllers will become rare and therefore go up in value. On another note:

PS2 DualShock2 Controller, black, usual wear and tear which comes with hours of playing....no box included Â£500 oto

20-03-06, 06:34 AM	#1
Trevor Edwards Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: cheshire Posts: 2,328	Sony loses Dual Shock patent case Reports are trickling through 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... Source: http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2006/03...l_shock_patent

20-03-06, 08:49 AM	#2
GingerTez Purple Rhapsody Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Timperley, nr Manchester Posts: 1,261	Re: Sony loses Dual Shock patent case yea, I read about this a while ago before Sony appealed again. Some commentators are saying that Nintendo and Microsoft are 'in bed together' as MS were allowed to settle out of court but as far as I'm aware Sony didn't ever try to settle out of court and are now going to have to pay the price. (There was also a rumour that MS were going to buy a large stake in Immersion too, so that they could 'shaft' Sony too - don't think that ever happened though). Cheers, Tez.

20-03-06, 03:49 PM	#3
bruffterman iPod 30gb Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lincoln Posts: 1,391	Re: Sony loses Dual Shock patent case what is the patent exactly? cos obviously vibrators existed before the N64 rumble pack.

20-03-06, 05:29 PM	#4
Trevor Edwards Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: cheshire Posts: 2,328	Re: Sony loses Dual Shock patent case was that a sexual inuendo? im sure sony will find a way around it A few years ago dyson used to sue all the other vacuum companys that were making bagless vacuum cleaners. but now the companys have found anotherway of making a bagless hover with out infringing dyson's patent. You see were im going with this one? Last edited by Trevor Edwards; 20-03-06 at 05:32 PM..

20-03-06, 05:46 PM	#5
Simon Mini Mac Join Date: May 2005 Location: London Posts: 6,321	Re: Sony loses Dual Shock patent case lol if not, hopefully sony dualshock controllers will become rare and therefore go up in value. On another note: PS2 DualShock2 Controller, black, usual wear and tear which comes with hours of playing....no box included Â£500 oto

Sony loses Dual Shock patent case

Sony loses Dual Shock patent case

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Re: Sony loses Dual Shock patent case

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Re: Sony loses Dual Shock patent case