Of Spiders and Flies - bit-tech.net Forums

Tim S · 20th Jun 2007, 21:50

http://www.bit-tech.net/columns/2007...rs_and_flies/1

Patent law is a funny thing - particularly when it sets the scene for epic David vs. Goliath battles... but is there more behind the scenes? Brett Thomas takes a look at some of the reasons behind what could be the biggest scandal in a while - and why gamers should feel cheated.

Digg to share!

perplekks45 · 20th Jun 2007, 22:37

Interesting thoughts about that weird move by MS. And good ones/correct ones me thinks.
It'd be nice to hear more of those stories. Not because they improve believe in the western laws and courts but because they show how shady the global playing companies really are.

Quote:

Sony didn't just get screwed, it got something I can't even write on here.

That one actually made me smile. Soooo true.

Bursar · 20th Jun 2007, 22:44

But you missed the bit where Immersion are now claiming that because they 'settled' with Sony out of court, it's not actually a settlement in legal terms, so they don't have to pay MS.

If that stands up (and it seems flakey at best to me), then Immersion will be the ones laughing all the way to the bank!

iwog · 20th Jun 2007, 23:07

Who needs day time tv when you have Sony, M$ and Apple. I think the writers or Neighbours and Hollyoaks could learn a few tricks here.

completemadness · 21st Jun 2007, 00:08

this article is spot on what i was thinking, this is just a way to push Sony around, got a big competitor, just work around a direct assault and remove the foundations from their business

This is a sickening thing to happen, Sony has made some mistakes in its time yes, but its still a leading console maker, and $90m for a motor with an off balance disc of metal, that's just crazy

Hell how can you even patent a disc of metal that isn't balanced, I'm sure people knew how to make a rumble effect before 'Immersion' came along

coniferous · 21st Jun 2007, 00:44

Great article! certainly outlines the major issues with the patent system today.

Although i kinda have an issue with the way people will bitch and complain about patents, but nobody seems to know any good way to fix the system..

I know i don't, its hard to protect an honor a inventors idea.

Heres another question - Nintendo uses force feedback all the time, did they settle with these people?

Tyinsar · 21st Jun 2007, 01:01

Brett, this is exactly what I thought when I read the story.

(now get out of my head - it's already too crowded)

Phil Rhodes · 21st Jun 2007, 01:44

Why exactly is this not illegal collusion?

Phil

malcolm · 21st Jun 2007, 02:55

The last opinion piece on BT I read was pretty below par... I didn't say anything because iirc it was the writers first time on the block. This however provides some truly interesting insight into what's really going on. Bravo BitTech, no wonder I keep coming back for more

Aankhen · 21st Jun 2007, 03:35

Excellent article.

Sorry for not saying more, but there isn't really all that much to say.

scq · 21st Jun 2007, 05:02

I love US litigation!

Goty · 21st Jun 2007, 05:03

Great article; I've been saying essentially the same thing on other websites I frequent and I've been flamed for it every time. (I hate being on the less-popular side of the fence =P)

IMHO, Sony should sue MS for anti-competitive practices.

WildTangent · 21st Jun 2007, 05:08

I always look forward to your columns Brett, and this one sure didn't disappoint. Great work as always... you hit the nail right on the head.

julianmartin · 21st Jun 2007, 06:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by malcolm

The last opinion piece on BT I read was pretty below par... I didn't say anything because iirc it was the writers first time on the block. This however provides some truly interesting insight into what's really going on. Bravo BitTech, no wonder I keep coming back for more

I'll second that!

Constructacon · 21st Jun 2007, 07:04

Great article.

So if Immersion won $110m from Sony, MS would actualy be paid back everything that they paid out in the first place. Based on sales (4.5:1) Sony's settlement could have been as much as $117m. MS could have convievably profited in this case with the terms of their settlement. Talk about underhanded. No wonder Immersion only disclosed the settlement as >$90m.

Particle Man · 21st Jun 2007, 09:02

Wow thats some crazy stuff right there. Good article.

2JSC · 21st Jun 2007, 09:16

I totaly agree, M$ is a twisted beast. They use some small comapany that has a little leverage to tackle and hurt its competitors. Even though they went about it a "legally"... its still wrong.

And what is with all the lawsuits being thrown at Sony recently anyway? The bigger the name, the easier the target?

yakyb · 21st Jun 2007, 11:12

very interesting i have to admit i was totally unaware of this great article brett

mikeuk2004 · 21st Jun 2007, 12:00

Interesting read and im just waiting for the next episode where XXXX sues XXXX

Firehed · 21st Jun 2007, 13:01

Well said. I wrote something to the same general effect in my blog the other day after hearing about IP Innovation (the other notorious patent troll in the tech industry) suing Apple over having tabs in their GUI, although I never really voiced my query on why they hadn't gone after MS since they've got an immensely larger bank account, which begs the question as to whether a similar backdoor deal happened there as well.

20th Jun 2007, 21:50	#1
Tim S Pewlius Caesar bit-tech Staff Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Ascot, Berks Posts: 18,021	Of Spiders and Flies http://www.bit-tech.net/columns/2007...rs_and_flies/1 Patent law is a funny thing - particularly when it sets the scene for epic David vs. Goliath battles... but is there more behind the scenes? Brett Thomas takes a look at some of the reasons behind what could be the biggest scandal in a while - and why gamers should feel cheated. Digg to share! __________________ Tim on Twitter \| Tim's Blog \| Tim's Flickr The bit-tech Blog \| bit-tech on Twitter \| Join the bit-tech & Custom PC folding team (#35947) Last edited by Da Dego; 20th Jun 2007 at 21:57.

20th Jun 2007, 22:44	#3
Bursar Hypermodder Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 700	But you missed the bit where Immersion are now claiming that because they 'settled' with Sony out of court, it's not actually a settlement in legal terms, so they don't have to pay MS. If that stands up (and it seems flakey at best to me), then Immersion will be the ones laughing all the way to the bank! __________________ www.philspcmods.com - a rough guide

20th Jun 2007, 23:07	#4
iwog Linux cursed Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: IoW, UK Posts: 712	Who needs day time tv when you have Sony, M$ and Apple. I think the writers or Neighbours and Hollyoaks could learn a few tricks here. __________________ Welcome to bit-tech, watch out for thread drift Things can only get better

21st Jun 2007, 01:01	#7
Tyinsar 6 screens / 1 card Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: AB.CA Posts: 2,005	Brett, this is exactly what I thought when I read the story. (now get out of my head - it's already too crowded) __________________ It's not about how life treats you, it's about how you treat life.

21st Jun 2007, 02:55	#9
malcolm Multimodder Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: New Zealand Posts: 95	The last opinion piece on BT I read was pretty below par... I didn't say anything because iirc it was the writers first time on the block. This however provides some truly interesting insight into what's really going on. Bravo BitTech, no wonder I keep coming back for more __________________ Like chrome? Watercooling? 2k car paint? Beaker! How about plexi? Little lights? Pandora!

21st Jun 2007, 00:08	#5
completemadness Hypermodder Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 887	this article is spot on what i was thinking, this is just a way to push Sony around, got a big competitor, just work around a direct assault and remove the foundations from their business This is a sickening thing to happen, Sony has made some mistakes in its time yes, but its still a leading console maker, and $90m for a motor with an off balance disc of metal, that's just crazy Hell how can you even patent a disc of metal that isn't balanced, I'm sure people knew how to make a rumble effect before 'Immersion' came along

21st Jun 2007, 00:44	#6
coniferous What's a Rotary Power Tool? Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 21	Great article! certainly outlines the major issues with the patent system today. Although i kinda have an issue with the way people will bitch and complain about patents, but nobody seems to know any good way to fix the system.. I know i don't, its hard to protect an honor a inventors idea. Heres another question - Nintendo uses force feedback all the time, did they settle with these people?

21st Jun 2007, 01:44	#8
Phil Rhodes Supermodder Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 582	Why exactly is this not illegal collusion? Phil

21st Jun 2007, 03:35	#10
Aankhen Supermodder Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: India Posts: 406	Excellent article. Sorry for not saying more, but there isn't really all that much to say. __________________ It sure took me a long time to realize I hadn't changed my forum settings since returning from Canadia-land.

21st Jun 2007, 05:02	#11
scq Hypermodder Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 783	I love US litigation!

21st Jun 2007, 05:03	#12
Goty Supermodder Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Dacula, GA USA Posts: 302	Great article; I've been saying essentially the same thing on other websites I frequent and I've been flamed for it every time. (I hate being on the less-popular side of the fence =P) IMHO, Sony should sue MS for anti-competitive practices.

21st Jun 2007, 05:08	#13
WildTangent Minimodder Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 24	I always look forward to your columns Brett, and this one sure didn't disappoint. Great work as always... you hit the nail right on the head.

21st Jun 2007, 07:04	#15
Constructacon Constructing since 1978 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Brisbane Australia Posts: 1,845	Great article. So if Immersion won $110m from Sony, MS would actualy be paid back everything that they paid out in the first place. Based on sales (4.5:1) Sony's settlement could have been as much as $117m. MS could have convievably profited in this case with the terms of their settlement. Talk about underhanded. No wonder Immersion only disclosed the settlement as >$90m. __________________ Remember - for every silver lining there is a cloud. "Of course, overclocking doesn't normally involve a tank of acetylene large enough to blow a house off its foundation." - zackbass MAME Over - Custom built arcade cabinet. This season's mod - The New Black Also modded - "Got Milk?" Last edited by Constructacon; 21st Jun 2007 at 07:10. Reason: Bad punctuation

21st Jun 2007, 09:02	#16
Particle Man Minimodder Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: LSA Anaconda; Balad, Iraq Posts: 25	Wow thats some crazy stuff right there. Good article. __________________ "It's time you saw the future... while you still have human eyes."

21st Jun 2007, 09:16	#17
2JSC Multimodder Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 112	I totaly agree, M$ is a twisted beast. They use some small comapany that has a little leverage to tackle and hurt its competitors. Even though they went about it a "legally"... its still wrong. And what is with all the lawsuits being thrown at Sony recently anyway? The bigger the name, the easier the target? __________________ He's no different than the rest of you organisms... shooting DNA at eachother to make babies.

21st Jun 2007, 11:12	#18
yakyb CK is God!!! Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,074	very interesting i have to admit i was totally unaware of this great article brett __________________ Gaming Box:: q6600 @3.0 :: 9800gtx :: Abit IP35 :: 4gb :: 1.4TB :: akasa eclipse :: Win7 Development:: PhenomII 955BE @3.2 :: 4200 :: asus M4A785 M Evo :: 1.25TB ::Win7 Media Centre :: q6600 @3.0 :: x1950pro :: asus p35 epu :: 8gb :: 320 GB :: Lc17B :: Win7 server:: I7 860 :: p55 gd65 :: 3450 :: 8 TB :: 8gb :: Rebel 12 :: server 2008 R2

21st Jun 2007, 12:00	#19
mikeuk2004 What you Looking at Fool! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Sheffield, UK Posts: 3,052	Interesting read and im just waiting for the next episode where XXXX sues XXXX __________________ -\|- Xfire - Mikeuk2005 -\|- Xbox Live - Mike UK 2006 -\|- Playstation Network - Mikeuk2004 -\|-

21st Jun 2007, 13:01	#20
Firehed Why not? I own a domain to match. Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: An hour north of Boston Posts: 12,576	Well said. I wrote something to the same general effect in my blog the other day after hearing about IP Innovation (the other notorious patent troll in the tech industry) suing Apple over having tabs in their GUI, although I never really voiced my query on why they hadn't gone after MS since they've got an immensely larger bank account, which begs the question as to whether a similar backdoor deal happened there as well. __________________ hire me @ eric-stern.com - web developer and php ninja pics @ my smugmug :: Twitter @firehed :: blog @ firehed.net 40D\|580EXII\|285HV\|AB800\|70-200f/4LIS\|17-50f/2.8\|150f/2.8Macro\|50f/1.8 MacPro @ 8x2.8GHz, 10GB FBDDR2, 3TB HD :: MBP @ 2x2.2GHz, 4GB DDR2, 320GB HD