Microsoft Suing Datel For Copying Controller Design

Microsoft has filed a lawsuit against British gaming peripheral manufacture Datel for allegedly infringing on several design patents from the Xbox 360 controller.

The two Datel third-party controllers brought into question are the "TurboFire" and "Wildfire" designs. The lawsuit states Datel is infringing on a total of six patents filed by Microsoft in 2006. The patents filed mostly deal with the front design and button layout of the controller.

Microsoft is seeking compensatory damages and payments of royalties or profits Datel made from selling those two controllers. Microsoft has also asked for an injunction so Datel can no longer manufacture them.

The lawsuit and the six controller patents, all obtained by IGN, can be viewed below in PDF form.

Microsoft vs. Datel Design Lawsuit

Patents:
D521,015
D522,011
D547,763
D581,422
D563,480
D565,668

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/108/1081673p1.html

Oh, my... Datel added a functional D-Pad! I bet that's what really annoyed Microsoft.

thats bill gates.....lolkingdavid562

This is my rendition of this suits:

Guy #1: Hey, did you see the new so-so controllers?
Guy #2: No, why?
Guy #1: They look exactly like ours, do the same things, and they charge a reasonable amount for it, unlike us.
Guy #2: ...
Guy #1: ...
Guy #2: ...
Guy #1: ...
Guy #2: ...we must sue.

Companies do this all the time to the PS3 and PSP, but you don't see Sony suing...

Companies do this all the time to the PS3 and PSP, but you don't see Sony suing...

killzonexbox

[QUOTE="killzonexbox"]

Companies do this all the time to the PS3 and PSP, but you don't see Sony suing...

ohthemanatee

This is my rendition of this suits:

Guy #1: Hey, did you see the new so-so controllers?
Guy #2: No, why?
Guy #1: They look exactly like ours, do the same things, and they charge a reasonable amount for it, unlike us.
Guy #2: ...
Guy #1: ...
Guy #2: ...
Guy #1: ...
Guy #2: ...we must sue.

Legendaryscmt

I highly doubt that it's built better than the 360 gamepad. I've had a Madcatz...and cheaper isn't better in these cases.

[QUOTE="Legendaryscmt"]

This is my rendition of this suits:

Guy #1: Hey, did you see the new so-so controllers?
Guy #2: No, why?
Guy #1: They look exactly like ours, do the same things, and they charge a reasonable amount for it, unlike us.
Guy #2: ...
Guy #1: ...
Guy #2: ...
Guy #1: ...
Guy #2: ...we must sue.

HavocV3

I highly doubt that it's built better than the 360 gamepad. I've had a Madcatz...and cheaper isn't better in these cases.

Never said that they would be better. I've had 3 party controllers that were crap in the past.

*Sigh*

The patent laws are in dire need of reform.

Companies do this all the time to the PS3 and PSP, but you don't see Sony suing...

killzonexbox

All gamepads are more or less the same freaking thing.

All gamepads are more or less the same freaking thing.

Vesica_Prime

All gamepads are more or less the same freaking thing.

Vesica_Prime

Oh, my... Datel added a functional D-Pad! I bet that's what really annoyed Microsoft.

LordQuorthon

I noticed that Dpad on the picture too...your joke was a good one.:P

"You dare to add and improve a Dpad to our controller!? It's can of whoop booty time!"

-------------

Also, I found this tidbit interesting :

"The patents filed mostly deal with the front design and button layout of the controller. "

Considering the 360 and Xbox controllers are a mix between Sony PSOne's DualShock (Twin analog), Nintendo's SNES (Button Layout, Dpad), and SEGA Dreamcast (Triggers), I'm surprised Xbox are suing for Front Design and Button Layout. :shock:

The Xbox and 360 controllers were just made based on other designs, to meet the standards from previous generations, I'm surprised Xbox aren't granting the same king of leeway Xbox was granted when they came in the industry.

This is my rendition of this suits:

Guy #1: Hey, did you see the new so-so controllers?
Guy #2: No, why?
Guy #1: They look exactly like ours, do the same things, and they charge a reasonable amount for it, unlike us.
Guy #2: ...
Guy #1: ...
Guy #2: ...
Guy #1: ...
Guy #2: ...we must sue.

Legendaryscmt

More like:

MS: Lets block off Datel's memory cards because they are better, cheaper alternative to our crappy memory units!
Datel: HEY GUYS LETS BE CLEVER AND TRY TO SUE THEM FOR TRYING TO BLOCK OUT THE LITTLE GUYS!
Bill Gates: *takes off glasses* ... Call the legal division... we're going to sue them till they can't breathe without paying us royalties *puts of his srsbsns glasses*
MS legal division: lets start with the most obvious (the controllers)

The end. All credit goes to Bill Gates cause I don't wanna get sued >_>

thats bill gates.....lolkingdavid562

[QUOTE="kingdavid562"]thats bill gates.....lolDonPerian

Good...you all complain about failure rates and shoddy workmanship then use a datel product their products are complete and utter crap when it comes to workmanship.

They should have swapped the position of two buttons and they would have the perfect defence ...

Microsoft has every right to sue. Do you actually see the controller?

It was specifically made to look like the 360 controller, so as to lure unwary customers into thinking they're buying the real thing. They could have made them different and yet still functional, and the market would judge its quality. But they had to copy.

It's shady business, even though this kind of practice its sort of ubiquitous (Vii anyone?).