Immersion Settles Patent Litigation With Electro Source

Immersion Corp., which develops and licenses touch-feedback technology sometimes used in game controllers, has settled a long-time legal action against Electro Source, maker of Pelican video game accessories, over its 'rumble' effects in its third-party controllers, following litigation filed back in September 2004. Previously, Immersion had won a suit against Sony over two contested patents that Sony inadvertently violated in its Dual Shock controllers for PlayStation and PlayStation 2, though the suit is being further contested, and has also settled against Microsoft for similar Xbox-related patent violations, thanks to Immersion's wide-ranging patent on the concept. As a results of this latest settlement, Electro Source will have a worldwide license to Immersion's patents for vibro-tactile devices in the consumer gaming peripheral field of use. As a result, Electro Source will make royalty payments to Immersion based on sales by Electro Source of spinning mass vibro-tactile gamepads, steering wheels, and other game controllers for dedicated gaming consoles such as the Sony PlayStation and PlayStation 2, the Nintendo GameCube, and the Microsoft Xbox and Xbox 360, in addition to certain other remuneration. "We are extremely pleased to add Electro Source as an Immersion licensee. Over the past three years, Electro Source has increased its market share to become one of the top three sellers of video console accessories in the United States," said Victor Viegas, Immersion CEO. "We look forward to working with Electro Source in the future."