The US International Trade Commission has agreed to look into Hillcrest Laboratories' allegations that Nintendo infringed Hillcrest's patents in making its popular Wii video game, the ITC said yesterday.
Hillcrest has accused Nintendo of infringing four patents to make the top-selling Wii game console. Hillcrest made the filing to the ITC, which has the power to bar products such as the Wii from the US if they are made with infringed technology.
Hillcrest filed a similar lawsuit in August in the US District Court in Maryland.
Nintendo said it respected the patents of other companies, and did not infringe on Hillcrest's intellectual property. "Nintendo intends to vigorously defend this action," it said in a statement.
Hillcrest had no immediate comment.
Rockville, Maryland-based Hillcrest has created motion-detecting technology allowing users to select items on a screen by waving a handheld device.
The Wii features a motion-sensing controller that lets users direct on-screen play by swinging it like a bat or a tennis racket. The console has been a huge success since its 2006 launch.
Hillcrest has said other leading consumer electronics companies, including Eastman Kodak, had licensed its technology.
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