Sony Appeals Immersion Suit, Wins Stay on Injunction

Following the January decision against Sony in Immersion Corp.'s lawsuit, which alleged that Sony had violated its patents on force-feedback mechanisms with the Dual Shock controller, Sony is appealing the decision to the Federal court. In the interim, Judge Claudia Wilkins of the District circuit granted Sony a stay on the injunction against selling their infringing products, which would include the PlayStation 2 console, the Dual Shock controllers, and certain games named in the suit that use the vibration technology. Should Sony lose the appeal, or lose the case in a higher court, they would likely either have to stop sale of the offending items completely or pay Immersion the full amount owed in back royalties; Wilkins's decision says that Sony does not have to recall product but will be responsible for licensing fees on anything already in the market. Sony currently owes Immersion Corp. $90 million in back fees. Another unknown factor is whether or not the decision will affect future Sony products, from upcoming PlayStation 2 games to its in-development next-generation console. The ruling will not affect the new PlayStation Portable, as it has no force-feedback motors or games.