Philips seeks Wii U ban after it claims Nintendo copied patents

Philips has launched a lawsuit against Nintendo in the US, and is asking for the Wii U to be removed from sale.

The electronics giant alleges that the Mario maker copied two of its technology patents. The first bit of code can mirror a user's real-life actions inside a game, with the second patent revolving around an input system featuring a pointing device.

"Philips has engaged in the field of applied electronics and has conducted research in areas relating to visual representation of spatial processes and to automatic processes," reads the claims of the legalese-heavy lawsuit.

"The present patents-in-suit stem from these fields of research and development and claims protection for an interactive system for which a user can remotely control devices in an intuitive manner. Such intuitive remote control mechanisms are used in present-day home video game consoles."

Philips says it has contacted Nintendo as far back as 2011 about the first patent, and that the company is aware of its second alleged infringement.

Philips is asking for a block on all sales of the Wii U and other allegedly infringing Nintendo hardware, (likely substantial) damages, and for everything to be decided with a trial by jury.

GameSpot has contacted Nintendo for comment.