Philips sues Nintendo over Wii controller

Philips has filed a patent lawsuit against Nintendo in the US while demanding that the video game company stop selling its console and peripherals.

According to a document filed in the United States District Court of Delaware, Philips has two patents relating to “interactive virtual modelling” and “human computer interaction” that have been infringed by Nintendo’s console products ever since the launch of the Wii in 2006.

The first patent – referred to as “patent 379” – was issued to Philips in September 2001. It relates to a “Virtual Body Controlling Device,” and Philips has claimed that it informed Nintendo of its existence in a letter sent in November, 2011.

The second patent – referred to as “patent 231” – was filed by Philips in September 2013, well after the launch of the Wii and Wii U. It relates to a “User Interface System Based on Pointing Device”.

Philips’ claims focus on the Wii controller and Wii MotionPlus. The suit goes on to state that these devices are so essential to the experience offered by the consoles that they should not be considered as separate.

The devices named in the suit are as follows: Wii console, Wii Remote Plus Controller, Wii Remote Controller, Wii Nunchuk Controller, Wii MotionPlus, Wii Balance Board, Wii U console, Wii U GamePad, and Wii Mini console.

Phillips is seeking damages, and has asked the court to halt sales of all the named devices in the United States.