Buy a PS2 - while you still can

Flibster

Flibster

Flibster

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18 Oct 2002
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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...
Click to expand...

Not sure if I can mention the site - bit it's a well known tech site. ;)

Sounds good to me. Having to pull all the consoles off the shelves. Never really liked the PS2 anyway and the controller always gave me cramp.

Simon/~Flibster
 
heh it *** definately explain the reason they PS3 controller seems to have disappeared for "re-design" wonder how much sony gotta pay up as u have to pay for each item sold using the patent dont u? PS2 being the biggest seller doesnt have all the advantages lol
 
An interesting read!

I like what they call the ps3 controller (and I quote)

'it's possible the horrendous boomerang monstrosity doesn't infringe on patents.' ......lol!
 
Plus - they can now charge whatever they want for a license. :D

Microsoft got off fairly light - Sony will get the shaft. :D

Simon/~Flibster
 
It's over $90 million which I don't suppose will hit them too too hard but wonder what they will do controller wise with the PS3
 
90million will hit sony really hard i reckon. They mustve spent ages and quite a large amount of ££ on the Playstation controllers now they gotta re-do the whole thing. And if they want to carry on sales of the PS2 at some point which they will they gotta redesign that too. Plus the fact the PS3 is delayed its quite a big chunk out of profits in this year!
 
i think ms was clever here, and just hit them with a large amount of $$ and got back 2 work developing the 360, sony spent lots on legal fees and mucked about, and now face a bit of a problem
 
Nismo said:
Probably seeing as the case started last year ;)
Click to expand...

Ah, I only read the first paragraph. So they've lost the appeal.

How come Nintendo haven't been sued over their rumble technology? Presumably Sony have the money and facilities to develop their own?
 
punky_munky said:
Ah, I only read the first paragraph. So they've lost the appeal.

How come Nintendo haven't been sued over their rumble technology? Presumably Sony have the money and facilities to develop their own?
Click to expand...

I'd guess that Nintendo uses a different rumble technology / design, which doesn't infringe on the patent.

Edit, oops, should have read the last line really.
 
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punky_munky said:
Ah, I only read the first paragraph. So they've lost the appeal.

How come Nintendo haven't been sued over their rumble technology? Presumably Sony have the money and facilities to develop their own?
Click to expand...

Perhaps it's something to do with
Interestingly, Immersion is owned in part by Nintendo.
Click to expand...
 
punky_munky said:
Ah, I only read the first paragraph. So they've lost the appeal.

How come Nintendo haven't been sued over their rumble technology? Presumably Sony have the money and facilities to develop their own?
Click to expand...

Think this might explain why Ninty werent done...

That article said:
Interestingly, Immersion is owned in part by Nintendo. The next-generation battle just took another twist...
Click to expand...

Also Nintendo's first rumble technology was an adaptor that fitted into the N64 controller so might not infringe on the controller based rumble copyright?

Neil

EDIT:
DAMN how quick are you lot to post...beaten to it :p :p lol
 
If you read the qoute it says Immersion is owned in part by Nintendo.


Edit, we must have all been typing at the same time :p
 
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Thing is I assume this will ruin all their accessory sales as well all those extra controllers @ £20 a pop will have to be taken off the shelves along with the machine itself.

Also how does this affect 3rd party controllers?
Surely they got their agreement to make & sell their controllers from Sony so if Sony cant produce a rumble pad what about Logic, Game, Madcatz etc???

Neil
 
So do immersion own the patent for any rumble force feedback technology? That doesn't sound very specific for a patent.

OT- Does anyone else have one of those logitech mice with immersion technology? That was a bit of a gimmick but it was good for Bllack & White. Shame they aren't supported anymore.
 
No, it's a specific format of force feedback/rumble that the Xbox and PS2 controllers use IIRC. I could have sworn that even though Nintendo part-own the company, they had a different system in their controllers anyway, and so were safe from litigation.

I imagine then that all Sony will really have to do is come up with a subtlely different format of feedback in the controller and they'll be fine. Not like them to miss a chance to cry stock shortages though. :p
 
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