Nintendo Wins Wii Patent Disputes

Nintendo has prevailed in multiple patent lawsuits from two different companies concerning technology behind the game giant's Wii system, a massively popular console that's sold over 100 million units.

On December 19, a federal appeals court upheld Nintendo's victory in a patent infringement case brought to the International Trade Commission by Creative Kingdoms. The court confirmed earlier rulings, saying Creative Kingdoms' patents "are invalid and should not have been issued," Nintendo said in a statement.

Creative Kingdoms had sought to block importation of Wii and Wii U consoles.

"Nintendo continues to develop unique and innovative products while respecting the intellectual property rights of others" -- Nintendo deputy general counsel Richard Meday

"We are pleased with the court's determination," Nintendo deputy general counsel said Richard Medway said. "Nintendo's track record demonstrates that we vigorously defend patent lawsuits, particularly when the patents are being stretched beyond the inventors' ideas. Nintendo continues to develop unique and innovative products while respecting the intellectual property rights of others."

Nintendo notched another legal victory on December 22, when it yet again prevailed in a federal court over a Wii patent dispute. Judge Robert S. Lasnik ruled that the Wii did not infringe two UltimatePointer patents. No trial was needed, Lasnik said, because "a number" of UltimatePointer's claims were found to be invalid, Nintendo said in a statement.

"We are very pleased with these decisions, which confirmed Nintendo's position from the beginning--we do not, nor have we ever, infringed these patents," Medway said. "The result in this case, once again, demonstrates that Nintendo will continue to vigorously defend its innovations against patent lawsuits, even if it must do so in multiple courts and commit significant resources to defend itself. Nintendo continues to support reform efforts to reduce the unnecessary and inefficient burden patent cases like this one place on technology companies in the United States."