Nintendo’s Controller No-No Could Cost Millions

It’s a good thing the Wii and DS print money, as Nintendo may be forced to dip into its colossal coffers. The company known for its innovative and unique controllers was recently pwned (again) for patent infringement by Anascape, Ltd. with an assist by our renowned court system. The allegedly illegal controllers in question are the Gamecube, Wavebird, and Wii Classic controllers. What does this mean for Nintendo? Should gamers rush out to buy up these contraband controllers before they’re pulled from shelves? Didn’t this exact same thing happen to a different console giant?

The $21 million verdict (that’s a lot of gold coins) was handed down in May and recently upheld by Judge Ron Clark.  Nintendo plans to appeal at the federal level, but sent out a picture (right) to illustrate its surprise at the ruling.  Some good news for gamers, though: the ban on the three controllers seems to be suspended for the time being; get ‘em while they’re hot (literally)!  Depending on the federal court’s ruling, Nintendo may be forced to pay up (likely) or pull the three controllers from store shelves (unlikely).  Knowing Nintendo and its propensity for having an ace up its sleeve (the relatively poor-selling Gamecube was followed by the enormously successful Wii, and the DS basically owns Japan), don’t be surprised if they pull some crazy legal stunt and get the verdict overturned altogether.

Nintendo is not alone in this case.  Well, technically now they are.  Microsoft was also included in Anascape Ltd’s patent-infringement allegations back in 2006, though they reached an out-of-court settlement with the firm.  Not surprising when you consider how deep the pockets of the ‘house that Gates built’ are.

Suffice to say, this case is far from over.  More on this Mario-themed legal throw down as it develops.