p2pnet.net News:- Sony, a paid-up member of the record label and movie studio cartels which are suing thousands of ordinary people for alleged copyright infringement, has been fined a massive $90.7 million —- for copyright infringement.

“In the past year Sony Computer Entertainment of America had shipped 10 million of its PlayStation 2 game consoles in the U.S., and Microsoft was on the cusp of releasing its rival Xbox game machine,” says Forbes.

Immersion ceo Victor Viegas, “knew that his vibration technology was inside those game systems, making their controllers rattle and jump in the hands of kids fragging blood-soaked hell beasts. And Viegas wasn’t getting paid for it.”

Sony wasn’t the only one. Microsoft was also using the technology but Bill and the Boyz settled.

Sony, however, didn’t and the US District Court for the Northern District of California has also issued a permanently banned Sony from making, using, selling or importing into the US the “infringing” Sony PlayStation system including PlayStation consoles, Dual Shock controllers, and the 47 games found by the jury to infringe Immersion’s patents.

The Court also ordered Sony to pay a compulsory license fee for the duration of the stay of the permanent injunction at the same rate and conditions as previously awarded in its January 10, 2005 and February 9, 2005 Orders.

“Sony made a payment to Immersion pursuant to those Orders on February 15, 2005 for the July 1, 2004 through December 31, 2004 period; however, Sony has appealed these Orders,” says Immersion.

The Court also found in favor of Immersion on Sony’s allegations of “inequitable conduct” during the prosecution of one of the patents asserted against Sony.

“Immersion expects that Sony will appeal the judgment to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit,” says the company in a statement. “Sony also may post a bond with the Court to stay the obligation to immediately pay the amount of the judgment while appeals are pending.”

“Immersion has a long list of licensees in the automotive, gaming, medical, mobility, and other markets, and we will continue to license our technology under appropriate circumstances,” says ceo Victor Viegas. “We will also continue to vigorously defend our intellectual property for the benefit of our licensees and shareholders.”

“In a matter related to the Sony lawsuit, the Court entered an order dismissing certain of the claims brought by Internet Services LLC (ISLLC) against Immersion with prejudice and certain claims without prejudice,” adds Immersion.

Stay tuned.

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See:-
Forbes- Touch and Go , February 28, 2005
Immersion - Immersion Obtains $90.7 Million Judgment in Patent Infringement Case Against Sony, March 26, 2005
found in favor - Sony fined $82 million, p2pnet, September 23, 2004