It’s like deja vu all over again for Nintendo. Just a few months out of the gate and their newest hardware is subject to a lawsuit, previously having the Wii’s motion control system and the DSi’s camera lens called into legal questioning, just to name a few. This time around, the problem seems to stem from the 3DS’ display technology.

Without getting too technical jargon-y here, Tomita Technologies, founded by a former Sony engineer, applied for a patent in 2003. That patent, number 7417664, was issued 5 years later and was approved for a “stereoscopic image picking up and display system based upon optical axes cross-point information.” Meaning, it provides a means for 3D imagery without the need for glasses by simultaneously displaying differing images for each eye. Which is exactly what the 3DS is made for.

The lawsuit doesn’t state exactly what part of the patent Nintendo is supposed to be infringing on and is awaiting a decision from the court. Nintendo, unsurprisingly, has remained silent.

http://www.thatvideogameblog.com/2011/07/07/nintendo-sued-over-3ds-technology/

Posted: Jul 08, 2011 3:15 am