Immersion and Nintendo’s Relationship

Don’t infringe, Nintendo…don’t infringe… 

Immersion and Nintendo: Immersion doesn’t work with Nintendo on vibrating controller technology. Nintendo’s rumble packs are their own designs, though the company was unable to get its Wireless controller — the Wavebird — to use rumbling technology, “We could’ve helped them with that,” Viegas said. “But they didn’t ask.”

Nintendo has apparently solved the problem on its own, however, as the Wii reportedly has vibrating technology built into its wireless controller. Given their history with Sony, you can bet that Immersion will be taking a hard look at how the Wii vibration functions and make sure it doesn’t infringe on any of Immersion’s existing technology — otherwise, we could see more controller-based litigation in the not too distant future.
http://wii.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3151621

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