Dutch tech company hits Nintendo with another patent infringement suit

Nintendo is the subject of another recent patent dispute, in which Dutch technology company Koninklijke Philips is accusing Nintendo of infringing on two of its patents with the Wii and Wii U's motion controls.

According to court documents, Philips states that Nintendo's technology infringes on Philips' own research into interactive systems using remote motion control and detection to operate a device. Philips' suit against Nintendo includes two patents — one for motion control, and another for wireless devices that can be remotely controlled by a second device.

The suit also specifically states that Nintendo's Wii, Wii Remote and Wii Remote Plus controllers, Nunchuk, Balance Board, Wii U console, Wii U GamePad, Wii Mini and Wii MotionPlus technology are all in violation. The second infringement claim is leveled at the Wii U and GamePad console ecosystem. Furthermore, Philips' suit states Nintendo had "actual knowledge" of the first patent and proceeded with their technology anyway, choosing not to license from Philips.

Philips is calling for trial by jury on all its presented claims and is asking for a ban on the manufacturing and sale of the Wii U and subsequent Nintendo hardware with similar technology as a result.

This isn't the first time Nintendo's technology has been wrapped up in a legal suit. In 2010, IA Labs filed suit against Nintendo, claiming the company violated two of IA's patents with Wii Fit and Wii Fit Plus. The court ruled in favor of Nintendo in 2012, and in January this year Nintendo acquired IA Labs' entire patent portfolio in a sheriff's sale. That same month, a U.S. District Judge ruled that Nintendo has to pay a royalty percentage to Tomita Technologies International Ltd. after Nintendo was found to have infringed on the latter company's patents with the 3DS camera.