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Shino
Fade into this fantasy, caught in the web of time
Age: 49
Gender: 
Joined: 15 Sep 2002 |
 Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 8:39 am Post subject: New Nintendo Patent make suit available against MS? |
The patent is for a Instant Messaging system that could have a buddy list that would also show what game your buddy was playing. Sounds familiar right? Come to find out, this patent was filed before the original Xbox was released.
So will they sue MS?
Probably not. As said in the article, it seems as if some sort of removable media is required with the patent. So, chances are that Nintnedo wouldn't have a case if they tried.
But this does pose a question. Does Live require any data on the Client end? Does it require info to be saved to the "removable" hard drive or the memory unit? If so... then who knows.
I don't see Nintendo trying to actually do anything about MS and their
| Gamespot wrote: | Nintendo patent signals imminent suit against Microsoft?
Source: eBusiness Web site WebProNews.com and a few others.
The official story: See below.
What we heard: Last week, Nintendo was awarded a patent from The United States Patent and Trademark Office, titled "Messaging service for video game systems with buddy list that displays game being played." In layman's terms, the patent is for a system akin to the familiar buddy lists in instant messaging programs, and, because of its relevance to gaming systems, more closely similar to features of Microsoft's Xbox Live service.
Sifting through the patent reveals plans for "one or more buddies identified on a buddy list previously defined by the user" where the status of the buddies can be displayed, even if the users are playing different games. In short: gamers will be able to see what their friends are playing, and vice versa.
The document also details a messaging system, where users can send and receive messages over Internet-connected systems--just like Xbox Live. Also like XBL, the service would notify players when they've received a message, even if they are in the middle of playing a game. The patent also mentions both text and voice messages "between two or more logged-in players."
As the patent was filed in late 2000, there isn't any specific mention of the DS or the Wii although it does allude to "game systems" and handhelds. This means that Nintendo could be shooting for future interconnectivity between its handhelds and consoles, but at what point is unknown.
While some might accuse Nintendo of ripping of Xbox Live, the fact is the patent was originally filed before the first Xbox came out. That lead webpronews.com to speculate that Nintendo could sue Microsoft, even though Xbox Live has been in place for years.
"It looks as though Microsoft's Xbox Live system may infringe upon Nintendo's new patent," reads the article. "If so, Nintendo could try to reach a cross-licensing deal that would allow it to delve into areas covered by some of Microsoft's patents. Sony is another potential target if Nintendo tries to pursue the matter."
Not so fast, says John Stickevers, a partner with Boston-based intellectual property law firm Bromberg & Sunstein. "Although the title seems broad, and one might think that Nintendo could assert this patent against Microsoft's Xbox Live service, the scope of the patent is much narrower," Stickevers told GameSpot News.
"According to the claims, the Nintendo system requires that the client software reside on the game cartridge [or other 'replaceably connectable' storage device] and when the cartridge is inserted and the game is made active, the client program contacts the server to set up the chat. ... Thus, for a competitor to infringe this patent, their chat client application needs to be present on the storage device along with the video game."
As anyone with Xbox Live knows, messages, voice or chat, can be sent without a game running on the system--it's effectively the "heart" of Xbox Live. The Nintendo patent makes special mention of "replaceably connectable" media--a DVD, an external hard drive, a memory card, or anything that can be connected and subsequently swapped out--meaning that their messaging system requires more than just the Wii and its guts.
It should be noted that just because the patent was awarded, it doesn't necessarily mean that Nintendo will use it, nor does it mean that the Wii will definitely have IM-like features. On the other hand, Nintendo's rekindled interest in Web-based connectivity (see: WiiConnect24) is well documented, and some form of messaging system is likely, even if it hasn't been officially announced yet. And even if the Wii doesn't launch with messaging capability it can always be added later. After all, the the Xbox was on the market for about a year before Xbox Live was introduced.
Bogus or not bogus?: Bogus, but that would ultimately be for the courts to decide.
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Shurikane
Dim Panties As String
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| Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 8:47 am Post subject: |
If it's not to sue, maybe it's to prevent Microsoft from screaming "Hey you copied us!"? |
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Blackmage
Intragalactic Acquisitions Agent Mew
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| Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 9:33 am Post subject: |
I'm going to lean with what Shurikane said, it soundsl ike the "haha we thought of it first" from Nintendo |
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Razer
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| Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 9:52 am Post subject: |
It may not be 100% but I can draw some comparisons between this patent and PSO for Dreamcast. So maybe Nin didn't come up with it first, they just went for a patent.
Technology and business are all a crummy game. It's not "who made it", it's "who owns it". For proof see Michael Jackson vs Paul McCartney. |
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