Microsoft has been sued a lot. It happens. This one could end up costing them a decent chunk of change, however. In 1994, Peter Hochstein and Jeffrey Tenenbaum were granted a patent for "communicating live while playing the same video game in separate locations." The two sued Microsoft in 2004, claiming that Xbox Live infringes on their patent.
Microsoft's defense appears to hinge upon the claim that Xbox Live operates outside of the actual video game. Furthermore, Kotaku notes that the company has resorted to cheap tricks, including holding up the trial for weeks over a type and providing 140,000 documents on the plaintiffs without any index.
Sony was also sued by Hochstein and Tenenbaum over the PS2's network, but Sony settled the case for an undisclosed amount of money. Seems like the reverse of the lawsuit over rumble in controllers. In that case, Microsoft settled and licensed the tech to include rumble on the Xbox 360. Sony was the one that dragged the process out, finally releasing the DualShock 3 after settling the case.
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RedRingsOfDeath
@kaos929
lolololololol, i own two 360s too, one's a reg and one's an elite...and i also own a Wii... do u consider the Wii to be a hardcore Console or a Family Console? For me a Wii is a Family Console and isn't in the same league as the PS3 or 360. so thats probably why no one mentioned it....because we can't play [Prototype] or infamous, nor God of war 3 or Gears of war 2... which are all hardcore games...and the Wii plays...Boom Bloxs? and Rabbids go home are family games, Aimed at kids ages 8-14 (and yes i know older people play them too) So again thats probably why no one mentioned it...lol
kaos929
@all flamewar douches
you all can argue as much as you want but neither xbox or ps3 will be on top. Nintendo, the best game company, is the leader. I love how none of you ps3 or xbox fan boys mention it. I own 2 360s and i still kneel before the mighty Nintendo.
Lil_G
@deathsdelivery
Yes, because my name is much more moronic than some of the crap you guys write on these boards. Your all like school children arguing. And the reason my name is Lil_"G" is because My name is Gabriel and I'm the youngest of all my brothers, I've always been called that, so think before you post, moron.
RedRingsOfDeath
@SourProphit
its 7 years....and after 7 years it goes out to the public...hense all the generic brand of drugs, like advil...ect.. sooo M$ shouldn't begetting sued...its called...ummm...false targeting or something(idk lol)...but they just want the money...and anyone who knows about patents would know that, its been 7 years...case closed...M$ should be given money for wasted time and effort...By Peter Hochstein and Jeffrey Tenenbaum....lol...and Lawlz at the flame war...
komradkyle
I hate lawsuits, but microsoft is Satan so.....
Tobi_IsAGoodBoy
Well look at the year the patent was issued 1994, to me its almost a renactment of Bear's brown box.
Actually it's a smart move on the patent holders part to wait for the company that's stumbled on their lawsuit to actually make and have enough money to meet their apoligy pirce tag.
SlickyFats
Man Mircoshaft has been getting in trouble for stuff like this A LOT lately.
Redd75
We're all Mormons? What?!? Oh, 'morons', my mistake...
deathsdelivery
@Lil_G
Your name alone screams "I'm a moron"
So, STFU "G".
Lil_G
Your all Morons.
blakseed
Fans? awwww, the ego of a bot.
deathsdelivery
@Infamous_Bizarro & Redd75
Look, the couple showed up!
360_Mafia_Godfather
@ Infamous_Bizarro
Some of us are actually playing and enjoying our consoles. I understand I have lots of fans like you and deathsdelivery who can't wait to hear what I have to say next but I have a 360 and lots of games to play so I can't chit chat all the time like I know you guys want me to. I hope you Sackboys have a wonderful 4th of July weekend talking to each other!
deathsdelivery
@Infamous_Bizarro
They hardly be on any post if its not about Sony, I think they secretly love Sony.
l33t360
@Bizarro
haha, sorry to disappoint dude, but i started my weekend early :D
but i really don't see how this is a problem, per say, it sounds more like a legal annoyance.
enjoy your weekend!
Redd75
That's how hypocrites operate, Infamous.
Infamous_Bizarro
when its something wrong about microsoft, L33t and mafia are nowhere to be found....... LOL
SourProphit
Don't patents only protect your invention for 10 years?
Zmeeds
legal trickery? no way! I can't believe such a stand-up...blah blah blah. it's all been said.
xN7 SNiiPer209x
i should patent a bunch of random crap so that some day in the future i can sue people also!!!...that is EXACTLY what these people thought of in 94
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