Sony and Immersion patch up

Electronics giant settles suit with creator of DualShock controller's rumble feature; both companies now "exploring" putting tech back into PlayStation products.

Two years ago, a judge sided with Immersion Corporation in that company's suit against Sony, ordering the electronics giant to pay $82 million for patent infringement. Immersion claimed the rumble feature in the PlayStation's DualShock controllers was based on its own technology.

Now the two companies have put the patent dispute behind them and have formed a new agreement "to explore the inclusion of Immersion technology in PlayStation format products." The Immersion announcement does not mention the PlayStation 3 specifically, but the system's Sixaxis controller has been criticized for not having a rumble mechanism, a feature shared by the competing Xbox 360 and Wii, as well as the last generation of gaming consoles.

"Our new business agreement with Sony Computer Entertainment is specifically intended to enable advanced vibration capability for the benefit of the PlayStation gaming community," Immersion CEO Victor Viegas said in a statement. "We are happy to provide our technology in this regard and hope to make technical proposals very soon with respect to use of our technology in the PlayStation products."

A Sony representative gave the following comment: "We are very pleased to have reached a cooperative agreement with Immersion regarding the use of its advanced vibration technology (haptics technology). We look forward to working closely with them as we explore new and innovative ways to utilize this technology in PlayStation products."

According to an Associated Press report, Immersion will receive more than $97 million in damages and interest, as well as $22.5 million in licensing payments from Sony over three years. That's in addition to more than $30 million Sony has already paid for licensing the technology.

462 Comments

  • footfoe2

    Posted Nov 30, 2007 12:26 pm PT

    emerld there is no such thing as 580p is ether 720, 450 or 1080 there is no 580

  • emerald101

    Posted Oct 21, 2007 1:44 pm PT

    Too bad they haven't announced a upgrade for hte blu-ray players on ps3s. Right now they only resolute at 580p. Thats why they are so cheap.

  • PSORngr

    Posted Sep 21, 2007 4:41 am PT

    ninjasam obviously knows nothing about infrared or how the Wiimote even works. The Wiimote does not just use infrared anyway, it also has an accelerometer in both the Wiimote and the nunchuck. An accelerometer is what the PS3 controller uses.
    As for the Dual Shock 3, it is good that Sony is finally making a rumble controller for the PS3.

  • spinozai

    Posted Sep 20, 2007 4:07 pm PT

    ninjasam

    No offense but you don't have any idea how infrared works do you?

  • aguststef

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 8:43 am PT

    This is a good thing, although I already own 2 sixaxis controllers I think I will buy one rumble PS3 controller.

    The main reason why I'm a big PlayStation fan (yes, I admit it, I'm a fanboy) is because you can trust the stuff from Sony. Sony is a respected corporation that has earned it's trust by making high quality stuff that lasts.

    Of course I agree that Sony has made a big mistake by lying to the public but this rumble lie isn't a big one.

    And if you want to play your old PS or PS2 games in your PS3 in Europe, just upgrade your PS3, it's free of charge

  • SpAnKaL42069

    Posted Aug 11, 2007 11:36 pm PT

    Sony should just buy Immersion, then they won't have to worry about licensing.

  • L15_eric_Wavo

    Posted Aug 6, 2007 3:37 am PT

    sony shud ave paid Immersion straight off like MS did

  • Unassigned

    Posted Jun 27, 2007 10:11 am PT

    I can't imagine any shooter or driving game without rumble. These types of games feel lame without rumble. MS got it right.

  • spow

    Posted Jun 19, 2007 1:29 am PT

    i cant imagine a GT without rumble lets hope we will never see such freak of nature.

  • ninjasam

    Posted May 27, 2007 10:10 am PT

    I am so fed up with noobs saying sony stole wiis idea. Wiis idea is for inovative motion sensoring with poorly rendered graphics. The Wii shoots infrared lasers all over your room until it hits your controller. Six-axis is built inside the controller sensing which direction the controller is pulled. Yes they did cover up the copy right infringment for rumble, but they never actually lied about it.
    First to 1080p? THEY BARLEY USED THAT!
    PS3 first to hi definition disc.

  • Wardog0080

    Posted May 26, 2007 1:38 pm PT

    LOL, Gotta love Microsoft. First 1080p was not important, now they are more than pleased to support 1080p.

    yeah, krunk, you're not a fanboy :eyeroll: Good luck to you on your delusion

  • Krunkcity3000

    Posted May 12, 2007 6:15 am PT

    LOL, Gotta love Sony. First Rumble is outdated and would interfere with their 6axis crap. Now they are more than pleased to go hand in hand with Immersion to put it into their controllers. It would have been totally cool if Sony just outright told the truth when the issue first came up. But Sony continues to lie to themselves and the public to make themselves seem invincible. Yes i own a 360 but I am no fanboy. I plan on getting a PS# when the price drops. But i just don't like being fed crap by companies. Just try to release your first major title then worry about stealing NINTENDOs Motion Sensing idea.

    I dont want a Wii but you gotta give it to Nintendo for taking a chance on the motion thing. I personally think its another one of their gimmicks but it is working for them.

  • Devilstator

    Posted May 4, 2007 6:15 pm PT

    Sony Say that the rumble feature interferes with the motion sensing

    -to get round this, the 6 axis could be used only in parts of the game where no rumble is needed.

    -also if the 6-axis was used at the same time as the rumble, it could be made realistic.

    For example being shot when flying a plane with the motion sensing. The rumble would interfere and make you have less control over the plane. This would be awesome.

  • Agelu

    Posted Mar 14, 2007 8:04 pm PT

    uhm... interesting...

    I love rumble for the games that use it well. AND rumble isn't a thing of the past. Unless you can't feel your hand shaking.

  • corgorav

    Posted Mar 14, 2007 6:24 am PT

    hmm...interesting very interesting indeed... NINTENDO ftw!!! : )

    ps. not fanboi here

  • Boat3600

    Posted Mar 13, 2007 6:17 pm PT

    You said it, Kamakase.

  • KamaKase

    Posted Mar 7, 2007 2:55 pm PT

    Immersion's such a bunch of pirates.

    They're press pack included a photo of the CEO.......which is really disgusting.

    Perfect for dartboards though.

  • clyde46

    Posted Mar 7, 2007 8:37 am PT

    thats a stonking amount of money.

  • NND1

    Posted Mar 6, 2007 3:13 pm PT

    One of the main reasons I have a Xbox360 and Wii is because of Rumble... If they [Sony/PS3] want to truly be a next gen system I think that RUMBLE is one of the main BASIC requirements.. Another reason I will not buy it until they put in some DANG BLASTED RUMBLE!!! get it in there SONY!!

  • VixDiesel

    Posted Mar 6, 2007 11:36 am PT

    i've always loved rumble.

  • veeru300

    Posted Mar 6, 2007 10:59 am PT

    Is there any specific date when we can get six axis with rumble?

  • GonLee30

    Posted Mar 5, 2007 10:35 pm PT

    Its about time Sony started to pay the people who helped them in the first place.Now maybe I can get the real next Gen controller I was ment to have.

  • Some_One_Plays

    Posted Mar 5, 2007 7:22 pm PT

    Lol first it's the soft ware emulator now it's this. It's like everyone is forgetting about the Sony PlayStation 2 (Sony PS2) if you still like it so much then keep it. Like honestly no rumble feature, no backward compatible hardware installed, lol. Like honestly it seems like everyone is missing the Sony PS2. Even at launch people said third party developers were going to support rumble features in their controllers. So I don't see how this changes anything. All this says to me is that there will be a descent rumble controller for the Sony PlayStation 3.

  • pencilpusher69

    Posted Mar 5, 2007 2:28 pm PT

    I'm sure the reason Gamespot ISN'T pointing out the obvious hypocrisy of Kutaragi's statements, or maybe it was Harrison, is that they've seen what Sony did to Kotaku when Sony felt they were piling onto them with THE TRUTH.

    Gamespot doesn't want to be cut out of the Sony press pool, so hence not one word of BOO! about this obviously gigantic LIE that Sony has been propagating.

    "Now, rumble I think was the last generation feature; it's not the next-generation feature. I think motion sensitivity is. And we don't see the need to do that. "

    And that just begins to scratch the surface, ignoring Sony's claim that there were technical limitations to putting rumble into the SIXAXIS.


    Oh, and here's some more to pile onto the PS3, Howard Stringer unleashes on Ken "ain't my money" Kutaragi: http://www.gamepro.com/news.cfm?article_id=103748

  • KoolEmpty

    Posted Mar 5, 2007 2:22 pm PT

    @spotlifetv Are you are aware that the reasoning for the larger settlment has more to do with the fact that Sony used and made more off of the technology then MS did?

  • OldWiseBob

    Posted Mar 5, 2007 12:52 pm PT

    I think Gamespot has been doing an excellent job with the news. There's alot of bad stuff out there that people (Like me) enjoy reading about. If you don't want to read the truth then just don't bother. If there's bad stuff about Microsoft or Nintendo then they will put it up, but there's obviously not alot of that.

  • TTDog

    Posted Mar 5, 2007 12:23 pm PT

    "jackfatal:
    ha ha!! gamespot dont get any longer games from ps3 before they get released!! thats wat they get when they become M$ baised!! IGN already got motorstorm few days ago!!"

    You posted the same message on another Sony story, might I suggest you grow up and get a life you sad little fanboy. If Sony weren't making such a pigs ear of the PS3 launch then it wouldn't be reported, the main reason behind all the bad news Sony stories is... Sony.

  • Gamer443

    Posted Mar 5, 2007 12:20 pm PT

    true dat to the poster below me

  • -Ronin-_basic

    Posted Mar 5, 2007 12:15 pm PT

    @ jackfatal

    Would you please stop posting like a blindfolded chimp? Everyone else posts in English, it's not that hard.

    It's hard to listen to you when you sound like a 10 year old throwing a tantrum.

  • spotlifetv

    Posted Mar 5, 2007 12:14 pm PT

    We already know that Sony and Immersion have already settled their legal differences, what you possibly still do not know is that Sony is coughing up some dough for Immersion. Information Week reports that Sony Corporation has agreed to pay Immersion US$ 150.3 million. This is, of course, still aligned with the patent infringement suit wherein Immersion claimed that Sony used its technology in the Sony PS1 and PS2.

    According to an Immersion representative, the US$ 150 million agreement followed Sony's decision to withdraw its federal court decision appeal which entails an awarding of US$ 127.8 million to Immersion. If you could remember, the Oakland, California jury found Sony guilty of patent infringement in 2004.

    What is really funny is the fact that Microssoft made out on this deal. They paid in excess of 38 Million dollars to settle the suit with Immersion & got 10% interest in the company. Yes Microsoft was wise enough to finally settle a lawsuit instead of battleling it out. Then on July 25, 2003, Immersion contemporaneously executed a series of agreements with Microsoft that:

    1. Settled Immersion’s lawsuit against Microsoft
    2. Granted Microsoft a worldwide royalty-free, irrevocable license to Immersion’s portfolio with Microsoft splashing out around $6 million on a 10% stake in Immersion
    3. Provided Microsoft with sublicense rights to pursue certain license arrangements directly with third parties including Sony Computer Entertainment which, if consummated, would result in payments to Immersion Here is the funny part - Sony paid a total of 150 Million if you read the article above. That's three times what Microsoft paid - Plus they get 10% of the suit with Sony - They actually get back what they paid! LOL - Per the lawsuit analysed be a industry expert - See below Microsoft settled out of court for a "$26 million payment for licensing rights and an equity investment, as well as a $9 million convertible debenture from Immersion with 48 months draw down rights." In the end, the additional money makes Microsoft now own 10% of Immersion Corporation.
    One such motion that I'm sure hasn't escaped Sony's legal team might involve the fact that Microsoft, a direct competitor of Sony in the video game market, owns 10% of Immersion. In essence, should Sony have to pay anything to Immersion in damages and/or licensing fees, Microsoft will make money off of their competition. An argument
    could also be made by Sony that Microsoft stands to benefit greatly
    if Immersion successfully gets an injunction against Sony that would
    force them to recall all PS2 consoles on store shelves with the Dual Shock 2 controller, as well as all extra Dual Shock 2 controllers
    for sale.

  • jackfatal

    Posted Mar 5, 2007 11:44 am PT

    ha ha!! gamespot dont get any longer games from ps3 before they get released!! thats wat they get when they become M$ baised!! IGN already got motorstorm few days ago!!

  • Modx22

    Posted Mar 5, 2007 11:24 am PT

    what does this mean for future ps3??

  • Sushisogood

    Posted Mar 5, 2007 10:22 am PT

    Haha, and all the crap Sony talked about rumble.....

  • nobeaner

    Posted Mar 5, 2007 8:49 am PT

    Well Well. Nice job Sony. I believe Immersion was either bought out or had a large portion of the company purchased by M$. Either way, they really got over on immersion when the ruling was given. I believe they only paid a fraction of what an actual license would cost for the amount of hardware that uses immersions patents.

  • HaaZ

    Posted Mar 5, 2007 8:44 am PT

    Why would they be looking to use technology they themselves labeled as "last gen" when putting down MS?

  • TTDog

    Posted Mar 5, 2007 7:44 am PT

    "sugreev2005-06:
    This is major news and should be at the top,but Anti-sony GS puts it near bottom"

    This was at the top when it was announced, last week, if you'd been checking the news then you'd have seen it up there then. Cut the GS is bias bull, if the only news about Sony or PS3 is bad then thats the only Sony/PS3 news then can report on.

  • Maverick19

    Posted Mar 5, 2007 7:10 am PT

    Remember when Ken said " the rumble is not important anymore?" well i hope he chokes on his words. MuthaFuko

  • sugreev2005-06

    Posted Mar 5, 2007 6:31 am PT

    This is major news and should be at the top,but Anti-sony GS puts it near bottom.Anyways,I'm so psyched by the news.

  • Bladex2k

    Posted Mar 4, 2007 10:19 pm PT

    i guess hideo kojima talked ken kutaragi into getting rumble back. yay!!!

  • xxSupermanSGSxx

    Posted Mar 4, 2007 10:10 pm PT

    So then all games released from now on should allow for there to be a download later on to unlock rumble in it. It would make sense that the games put something to be unlocked similar to how gamesharks unlock things within the games writing and able the user to use it.

  • StrayMBlasTER

    Posted Mar 4, 2007 9:33 pm PT

    good thing ive saved some money.....

  • GranTurismo_559

    Posted Mar 4, 2007 8:44 pm PT

    Now we will have a Sixaxis and a rumble controller for the PS3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • OldWiseBob

    Posted Mar 4, 2007 8:25 pm PT

    That baby is getting owned by an animated wrestler (Look down!).

    Just because a system gets more games doesn't mean that they are better games. Jeez laweez... what's with people looking at amounts and specs not quality.

  • thisisjosh

    Posted Mar 4, 2007 8:04 pm PT

    as stupid as this sounds........i will buy a playstation 3 when it has rumble. there, i've typed it. i'm dumb.

  • thesand212

    Posted Mar 4, 2007 7:55 pm PT

    Rumble is back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • juancorazon

    Posted Mar 4, 2007 7:30 pm PT

    Nice work Sony let there be Rocking controllers again!!! For us good old gamers.

  • ForteX

    Posted Mar 4, 2007 6:46 pm PT

    Sony execs and PR..... Go screw yourselfs on a wired fence.
    First it is a technical issue (which we all know to be **** and now this?
    Either you stand by what you say, or you simply shut up.

  • strikemaster

    Posted Mar 4, 2007 5:01 pm PT

    So let me get this straight... as a PAL region gamer I can plump down $US830 (yep that's what it costs - $1200NZ = US$830) to get a console with very limited backward compatibility... five months after a better version of the same console came out in North America....

    And then a few months from now I (and everyone else) can shell out another couple hundred bucks for some controllers which have feedback, a technology Sony insisted they'd left out for technical reasons... but those technical barriers have suddenly disappeared now that the lawsuit's been settled.

    Gee thanks Sony. In the past month I've gone from being a definite line-up-on-launch-day Sony customer, to being someone who basically doesn't trust a word they say. Gamespot - you've done the 'straight report' on this, now expose this lie - Technical reasons my a**. If Ken Kutaragi were Pinnochio he'd have a nose the size of Texas.

  • ryokinshin6x3

    Posted Mar 4, 2007 4:37 pm PT

    and ps3 will get more games then 360 wats ur poiont, i wouldnt say forget about 360 and vista because 360 is stil a gd console wether u like it or not(for example i hated player hosting iwch is why i switched to ps3) and vista and dx10 are amazing for games. macs are gd, but they need better support for gaming and mainstream programs. anyways lmao, putting in vibration, something they shoudl hav done in the beginning,b ut better late then never

    and ppl bsing about vibration missing, who cares, motion sensing over it any day if we had to amke a choice

  • ShinAkuma777

    Posted Mar 4, 2007 4:09 pm PT

    who cares¿?

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