14 DAY TRIAL // Nintendo has no patience with those that try to make money off its original designs. The Wii Nunchuk is one of the most interesting pieces of console equipment out there, together with the Wiimote, because of the way they use motion-tracking technology to create a new and interesting experience for gamers. So, it must be a target for countless other companies that want to create copies of it.
Peripheral creator Nyko is now being sued by Nintendo, according to a Bloomberg report. Because Nyko lacks a Nintendo license regarding motion-tracking and aesthetic likenesses, Nintendo is now pointing out in a court of law that the Kama Wireless Nunchuck Controller is infringing on its patents. In fact, Nintendo says that pretty much every aspect of the Nyko made controller, from color to attached manual and packaging, is ripped off from Nintendo.
As reparations, Nintendo is asking for damages and for Nyko to hand over all profits made using the ripped off product. The official Nintendo statement on the matter went something like this: "While Nintendo supports the creation of innovative games and products used with our game systems, we cannot allow third parties to infringe on our intellectual property rights."
Nyko is not commenting on the allegations made by Nintendo.
The lawsuit is an interesting move as there are more and more rumors that other players in the gaming console industry, like Sony and Microsoft, are becoming interested in creating their own motion-tracking controller for the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360. Microsoft has been rumored to be market-testing a new controller, while Sony is said to be releasing a new "breakable" controller that is designed with two accelerometers to some of its partners.
Nintendo might see such a new controller as a threat to the domination of the Nintendo Wii and might react with suits against Microsoft and Sony as well, in the hope of at least delaying the release of the new hardware. But, with motion control for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 not even confirmed at this point, Nintendo can take its time in solving the Nyko suit first.