by Playfuls Staff |
14th March 2006
Everyone knows (and appreciates) Sony’s DualShock technology, a little vibrating perk that the company put in the controllers for the PS2 (and most likely, PS3) gaming console. However, it is less known the fact that Sony is involved in a very serious lawsuit regarding exactly this technology, a lawsuit who’s outcome might affect even the launch of the PS3 itself.[more]
Thus, as BetaNews reports, a federal judge denied an effort by Sony to overturn a jury verdict that awarded $90.7 million to Immersion over accusations of patent infringement. The ruling came after Immersion sued the PlayStation maker over the use of "haptic technology," which Sony calls DualShock.
Haptic technology is the term game manufacturers use to describe what makes game controllers vibrate in response to game activity. An Oakland, Calif. jury found Sony guilty of violating patents surrounding the technology in September 2004.
The DualShock feature is currently included in the PlayStation 2 and Sony may be forced to drop or modify such functionality for the PS3.
Sony attempted to have the jury's decision thrown out based on allegations that Immersion withheld information of earlier haptic technology inventions by a former consultant, Craig Thorner. Sony maintained that the information could have changed the outcome of the trial.
However, the judge said she doubted the reliability of the consultant's testimony. She also said a $150,000 payment by Sony to license his patents likely influenced Thorner's testimony that was given in support of the motion to overturn the trial, and it could have been viewed as a payment for positive testimony.
"The court finds that Sony has not presented clear and convincing evidence of misconduct by Immersion that would warrant a new trial," U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken wrote in her decision.
However, Immersion isn't planning on letting the matter stand as is. The company told the Wall Street Journal it is considering legal action against Sony for the alleged payment for testimony. Neither Thorner nor Sony would comment.
Well, Sony is known for not being quite the most honest of companies (remember the DRM scandal??), so there might be something to Immersion’s allegations. But, in any case, for the sake of all the gamers waiting impatiently for the PS3 (and, of course, for the sake of its own profits), the company should really settle this lawsuit. Otherwise, who knows just how much we’ll have to wait for the next-gen caming console.
