Maryland Lab Files Latest Patent Suit Against Nintendo

Maryland electronics lab Hillcrest Laboratories is suing Nintendo over claims that it is using its motion-sensing technology without license. Hillcrest owns patents for motion control technology and graphical interface software on a television screen. Hillcrest aims to block imports of the Wii and its accessories in the U.S. in a complaint filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission, and a civil suit filed in a local federal court. The company is also seeking an unspecified cash compensation. The lab has licensed its "Freespace" technology to companies including peripheral manufacturer Logitech, but refused to name those firms using its "Home" interface technology. Nintendo has already lost one lawsuit relating to the Wii -- Texas company Anascape won $21 million for patent infringements relating to the GameCube, Wavebird and Wii Classic Controller. "While Hillcrest Labs has a great deal of respect for Nintendo and the Wii, Hillcrest Labs believes that Nintendo is in clear violation of its patents and has taken this action to protect its intellectual property rights," says Hillcrest in a statement. "We haven't received any notice of the lawsuit and therefore are not in a position to comment at this time," says Nintendo spokesman Yasuhiro Minagawa according to Bloomberg.