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Nintendo Sued To Stop Importing Wii To U.S.

wii-kids.jpgNintendo's already been on the short end of one patent infringement suit for of its Wii game controllers -- but that one only cost the company $21 million. Its latest suit, filed by Rockville, Md.-based Hillcrest Labs, could have a more severe outcome: If things go Hillcrest's way, Nintendo might have to stop importing the bestselling Wii to America.

hillcrest-loop.jpgHillcrest claims that Nintendo is infringing on four patents it owns – three of which are related to the Wii’s motion-sensitive controller, and the fourth related to graphical interfaces that are displayed on a TV screen.

Who's Hillcrest? The company behind "The Loop," a Wii-like remote control that they've been trying to get consumer electronics companies to license -- very popular at trade shows, but not something you'll find in anyone's living room yet.

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The company holds 29 patents in this area worldwide, and says it's filled for more than 100 related patents. The first product to come out using their technology is the $150 Logitech Air floating mouse; the company promises its tech will also be offered in a home entertainment system later this year.

See Also:
Don't Mess With East Texas! Nintendo Loses A $21 Million Patent Suit
Nice Work, TiVo, But Here's The TV Remote We Want: No Remote
Next-Gen Remote Control Maker Hillcrest Labs Raises $25 Million

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