Fitness Company Sues Nintendo

[Logan Westbrook]

Fitness Company Sues Nintendo

An interactive fitness company based out of Maryland is suing Nintendo, claiming that the company has infringed on two of its patents.

IA Labs, an interactive fitness company is suing Nintendo for patent infringement, following the release of Wii Fit Plus [http://www.amazon.com/Wii-Fit-Nintendo/dp/B000VJRU44/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1278534413&sr=1-2] and several other peripherals. IA Labs claims that it has been irreparably harmed by the release of the titles.

The patents behind the lawsuit are "Computer interactive isometric exercise system and method for operatively interconnecting the exercise system to a computer system for use as a peripheral" and "Force measurement system for an isometric exercise device".

IA Labs claims to have informed Nintendo of the possible overlap between the technologies in 2007 and several e-mails apparently show that IA Labs wanted to license its technology to Nintendo.

This suit comes mere days after Nintendo won its appeal against another patent lawsuit, this time over Wii Classic, Wavebird and GameCube controllers [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/99942-Nintendo-Wins-Appeal-Over-Motion-Controller]

Source: Nintendo World Report [http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=22903]


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[SomeBoredGuy]

Damned patent laws, so apparently if your product resembles one that's been patented completely unknown to you they have the right to sue? I call shenanigans!

 

[zombie711]

you relize everyone sues years after the product has been realsed, besides nintendo always comes out one top

 

[SnootyEnglishman]

ANother company trying to sue Nintendo?

Word to you business patent trolls..YOU CAN'T KILL NINTENDO.

 

[Icecoldcynic]

This is ridiculous. Although I must at least give them credit for trying to settle things out of court, even if they had literally no leg to stand on.

 

[Rainboq]

*falls over laughing*
This... this is to rich

 

[Jared]

What is this? Suit 5678? As with everything, everyone thinks it is a rip of what they have done.

I doubt they have the money, ro lawyers to go up against Nintendo anyway

 

[fix-the-spade]

Is this a genuine grievance, or another company with generic all encompassing patents for non existant products.

Hmmmmm...

 

[Katana314]

As much as I think those Wii Fit games are pointless, I hate patent trolling even more.
By the way, I patent the letters A, E, I, O, and U. Any unauthorized use will result in a lawsuit. Escapist Magazine, for your 6 infractions in your title alone my lawyer will be contacting you.

 

[Taawus]

"Computer interactive isometric exercise system and method for operatively interconnecting the exercise system to a computer system for use as a peripheral"

A console with the balance board.

"Force measurement system for an isometric exercise device".

A scale.

So yeah.

 

[Aura Guardian]

Ahh...Nintendo will win again and I will laugh at IA Labs.

 

[Aura Guardian]

As much as I think those Wii Fit games are pointless, I hate patent trolling even more.
By the way, I patent the letters A, E, I, O, and U. Any unauthorized use will result in a lawsuit. Escapist Magazine, for your 6 infractions in your title alone my lawyer will be contacting you.

An Elephant In an Oven Understands You.
Am I in trouble?

 

[Simalacrum]

Ah, this whole suing culture is finally bombarding its ugly arse into the gaming industry... yay...

 

[Kevlar Eater]

No doubt Nintendo's lawyers will tear IA Labs a few new ones, then fuck the holes they created.

 

[Mr. Mike]

Sorry if I'm reading into this a bit much, but where is this sue-happy nature coming from? Are people unable to stand on their own two feet without having to mooch off a larger company in the hopes of getting more money? This all links back to the fact that man has become more and more obssessed with greed and wealth than ever before. It's ridiculous. Such is society these days.

People need to learn to be content with what they have. If you want something, earn it. Don't try to leech another company's hard-earned money.

 

[Insideout Ink Demon]

I think Nintendo will have all the patents they need, they've been doin this console thing a while now

 

[Vitor Goncalves]

The reason why they come years after is to be able if winning to get even bigger compensations. Obviously their chances are little.