The company behind force-feedback (rumble) in many video game controllers has been ordered to cough up $20.75 million. The litigation between Immersion and Microsoft, which has been ongoing since June 2007, was caused by a patent settlement deal signed between the two companies. The deal meant Microsoft would receive a share of any other patent-related settlements, at the time Immersion had sued Microsoft for $26 million and Sony for $90 million.
Immersion tried to counter-act Microsoft’s claim to the sum, saying the Sony deal was not covered in the terms of the contract. However, a judge representing the United States District Court ruled that Immersion had to pay up.
One positive outcome to this whole ordeal for Immersion is the fact they will now be included in Microsoft’s Certified Partner Program. President and CEO of Immersion, Clent Richardson, had the following to say about the result:
“We are pleased to resolve our outstanding dispute with Microsoft and to put this litigation behind us”
[...] A day barely goes by where one of the big three gaming companies aren’t in the news for suing or being sued. Some of you might remember the Immersion vibration controller fiasco. [...]