Topic: Developer trashes PS3

[KDR_11k]

QUESTION for someone with LEGAL KNOWLEDGE: Can Nintendo patents actually hold up to stop other companies from stealing their controller idea? OR was the WaveBird, Rumble Pack, Analog Stick under the same so-called Nintendo patent that does absolutely nothing?

The patent protects a specific implementation. If Sony used different methods to gather the same data they are free to do it but they can't use the exact same method. When they copied the rumble they changed some parts around, attached the decentered weight differently and thus avoided Nintendo's patent (while running straight into Immersion's). Since there are many implementations for measuring position/movement in space there is probably a different way that Sony can use.

[Stimutacs Addict]

gosh i have these continuous signs pointing me towards law school

[OptimusPrime]

Just to clear things up... how is the Revolution controller patented? From what I can gather, Nintendo has pantented the principle of the Revolution controller being "using a device whose movements in 3D can be detected and used as commands in games". Any other device that does the same thing and is used to control games is a patent infringement on Nintendo's patents. That's what i have been thinking... is this wrong or have i been deducting a bit too much?

[KDR_11k]

From what I can gather, Nintendo has pantented the principle of the Revolution controller being "using a device whose movements in 3D can be detected and used as commands in games". Any other device that does the same thing and is used to control games is a patent infringement on Nintendo's patents.

A patent HAS to include "detects movements by means of __________ and interpreted as __________", otherwise it's invalid. The summary may omit these details but the actual patent text doesn't.

Comparison:
A patent on mixing certain chemicals to create a blue pigment does not conflict with a patent on mixing other (or even partially overlapping) chemicals to create blue pigment, although both will probably be summarized as "mixing chemicals to produce blue pigment".

Sometimes I think I should have chosen International IP and Internet Law instead of Computer Science...

[cubist]

Well done KDR!  You're an LSAT, Law School Degree, and a BAR Exam away...OR are you there already?  

I guess we'll just have to wait and find out just if the REV remote is going to get ripped.

[King of Twitch]

It seems like there'd be a lot of time + R&D involved in ripping the Rev controller... it's not like tossing an extra LR button and analogue stick on the thing. Is the 360 wireless even as good as the wavebird?

[nemo_83]

I think by saying they don't have a controller the developer was remarking how the 360 has one and the Revolution is kind of built around the controller while the PS3 developers don't have the controller; the prototype Sony has shown has not been given to developers, or they are like, "WTF, we're using third party controllers to develop on this."