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Philips Sues Nintendo, Seeks To Halt Wii U Sales In U.S.
Philips has filed suit against Nintendo claiming patent infringement. Specifically, the complaint focuses on motion-controlled consoles and peripherals, including the Wii U and its accessories, and technology that “models a user’s body in a virtual environment by animating a virtual body to follow the physical movements of the user.”
The suit was filed on May 14 in Delaware, and claims infringement of Philips’ “Virtual Body Control Device” and “User Interface System Based on Pointing Device” patents. Philips also claims Nintendo was aware of its patents via correspondence dated December 2011.
Philips seeks damages for the infringement and enhancement valued at three times that, as well as interest. The company also seeks an injunction against further importation and sales of the Wii U and infringing products.
We’ve reached out to Nintendo for comment and will update should we hear back.
Update: Nintendo has declined to comment.
Our Take
Chances are this will be settled, especially if Nintendo thinks Philips has a case. Nintendo can’t risk a jury trial that will prevent the Wii U from being imported and sold in the United States.
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