Nintendo wins Switch patent dispute over attachable game controllers
Mobile peripherals firm alleged Nintendo used its ideas for the console
Nintendo has won a patent dispute with mobile accessories company Gamevice.
The peripherals firm sued Nintendo in 2018, alleging that the Switch console infringed on a patent it holds for attachable handheld gaming controllers for mobile devices.
According to Law360, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board invalidated all 19 claims Nintendo had challenged in a pair of decisions on Tuesday.
“Gamevice does not contest Nintendo’s showing that these dependent claims are unpatentable, nor does Gamevice offer any other argument or evidence in support of patentability,” it ruled.
In October 2019, the International Trade Commission also cleared Nintendo of infringing on a similar Gamevice patent for a product that allows controllers to be attached to both sides of a smartphone or tablet. Gamevice is appealing the ITC’s decision.
In a separate case, it was confirmed earlier this month that a class action lawsuit alleging Nintendo of America sold faulty Switch Joy-Con controllers is to go to arbitration.
Originally filed in July 2019, the suit alleges Nintendo is fully aware of a defect which causes Joy-Cons to drift, causing unintended movement.
US District Judge Thomas S. Zilly approved Nintendo’s move to compel arbitration, but also rejected the platform holder’s bid to dismiss the case.
