Nintendo faces lawsuit over the Switch's detachable controllers

Big.Daddy.Samedi

"The Nintendo Switch certainly isn't the first gaming tablet, but is it directly riffing on others' ideas? Gamevice thinks so. The accessory maker is suing Nintendo for allegedly violating a patent for concepts used in the Wikipad, its gaming-oriented Android slate, as well as its namesake add-on controllers for phones and tablets. According to the suit, the Switch and its removable Joy-Con controllers are too close to Gamevice's vision of a combination of detachable game controller and a device with a "flexible bridge section." Not surprisingly, the lawsuit calls for both damages and a ban on Switch sales."

So it appears that Nintendo is facing a lawsuit from a smaller company for patent infringement? If they win, what will this do to Nintendo?

waynejr2

These types of patents are an annoyance and shouldn't be allowed.

Big.Daddy.Samedi

This is the Wikipad that Gamevice has patented. The controllers are removable.

Looks like they might just have a leg to stand on.... I am willing to bet Nintendo settles in order to keep from having to cease production and sales. Unfortunately from what I understand, that is not what the company wants. They actually do want Nintendo to shut it down.

I forgot to post a link: LINK

maskedweasel

I doubt they'll get anything for it.  It's like saying the XB controller is too close to the PS4 controller.  In the end the controller for the switch IS different, it's really just a transformation from the Wii U pad.  Or more specifically it's the Wii U pad and the Wii-motes ideas in one.

Nintendo likely won't be phased by this at all.  Its probably just this small companies way to try and get advertising. 

SpottyGekko

Perhaps Nintendo can counter sue because the WikiPad name sounds too similar to the Wii U pad ?

Big.Daddy.Samedi

SpottyGekko said:

Perhaps Nintendo can counter sue because the WikiPad name sounds too similar to the Wii U pad ?

Sitting and taking a look in to this further, it really does depend on the date of the patent.... I do notice however that there are some differences in the current design. I do not think this is going to hold up, and I am willing to bet they will take a settlement from Nintendo

maskedweasel

Big.Daddy.Samedi said:

SpottyGekko said:

Perhaps Nintendo can counter sue because the WikiPad name sounds too similar to the Wii U pad ?

Sitting and taking a look in to this further, it really does depend on the date of the patent.... I do notice however that there are some differences in the current design. I do not think this is going to hold up, and I am willing to bet they will take a settlement from Nintendo

I wonder if Nintendo will even offer one.  No doubt they have much bigger capital and small companies like this can't really draw out long legal battles they have no chance of winning.  If there is a settlement it will likely be very small, less than whatever the initial legal fees will be, and in the end a small company can't handle a countersuit if for some reason nintendo finds something to take issue with on their patents. 

laserit

You can not patent an idea. You can patent the way in which an invention works but not the invention in and of itself.

A patent is also only as good as the paperwork. If you are awarded a patent and your paperwork for it sucks, there could loopholes that a competitor could drive a semi truck through.

It's all legalese and the interpretation of.

Damn lawyers

Renoaku

Patent trolls only to think if I came up with a bunch of these on my own then just sued everyone who used them.

IMO it shouldn't be allowed.

Dakeru

That is funny...
I have a console from the 80s - even before Atari became a thing where the joypads are attached to the console and you can remove them for more freedom.

Oh the idea is so new!

TheScavenger

This is just a quick money grab technique by a bunch of used cars salesman types.

Solar_Prophet

Dakeru said:

That is funny...
I have a console from the 80s - even before Atari became a thing where the joypads are attached to the console and you can remove them for more freedom.

Oh the idea is so new!

Yeah, a few of the old Pong consoles were like that. It's hardly a new idea. Hell, the Atari 2600 actually had wireless joysticks available. 

As much as I'd like to see Nintendo taken down a peg or two due to their ridiculously litigious nature involving copyright / trademark issues, I don't see this going anywhere, more's the pity. I do wish Gamevice the best of luck though. They're going to need it. 

Cleffy

Honestly, they might get a settlement. I think it would be dumb for this smaller company to precede further than a settlement. They will be taken to the ringer otherwise, especially if they demand a cease in sales.

Dakeru

Solar_Prophet said:

Dakeru said:

That is funny...
I have a console from the 80s - even before Atari became a thing where the joypads are attached to the console and you can remove them for more freedom.

Oh the idea is so new!

Yeah, a few of the old Pong consoles were like that. It's hardly a new idea. Hell, the Atari 2600 actually had wireless joysticks available. 

As much as I'd like to see Nintendo taken down a peg or two due to their ridiculously litigious nature involving copyright / trademark issues, I don't see this going anywhere, more's the pity. I do wish Gamevice the best of luck though. They're going to need it. 

Yeah Pong.. good times.

I don't even remember how this came into my possession.
I know it belonged to my grandfather and he probably gave it to me at some point.

Video games run in the family.