ITC Probes Wii Patent Infringement

ITC Probes Wii Patent Infringement

Nintendo is facing allegations of impinging on patents of Hillcrest Laboratories with its widely used Wii games console. The International Trade Commission is conducting an investigation on a possible violation of infringement laws.


The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo. A distinguishing feature of the console is its wireless controller, the Wii Remote, which can be used as a handheld pointing device and detect movement in three dimensions. Another is WiiConnect24, which enables it to receive messages and updates over the Internet while in standby mode.



Hillcrest is accusing Nintendo of infringing four of its patents with Wii. Nintendo, on the other hand, maintains its innocence on the purported violations.



Hillcrest Labs has established technology that enables its customers to communicate using digital media on television employing motion-control and pointing techniques. The company owns 29 patents in this area all over the world, and has filled more than 100 patents.