News
Nintendo Aggressively Goes After IA Lab in Patent Squabble
REDMOND, Wash.--(January 9, in the year of our Lord
2014)-- On Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2014, Nintendo obtained the
entire patent portfolio of IA Labs during a sheriff’s sale in
Montgomery County, Maryland. IA Labs sued Nintendo for patent
infringement in April 2010. Nintendo successfully defended the
lawsuit and obtained judgment in its favor in February 2012. The
trial court also awarded Nintendo some of the costs and fees it
incurred defending the case.
IA Labs appealed the trial court’s ruling. The appeals court
confirmed Nintendo’s win in June 2013. IA Labs was further
ordered to pay Nintendo additional costs incurred in defending
the appeal. IA Labs did not pay the amount due, so a sheriff’s
sale was conducted to sell IA Labs’ remaining assets, including
its patent portfolio. Nintendo obtained IA Labs’ entire patent
portfolio at that sale as partial repayment for litigation
costs.
“Nintendo’s track record demonstrates that we vigorously defend
patent lawsuits, like the IA Labs lawsuit, when we believe we
have not infringed another party’s patent. This includes holding
those who sue Nintendo responsible for the costs and expenses
incurred in patent litigation,” said Richard Medway, Nintendo of
America’s vice president and deputy general counsel. “Nintendo
has a long history of developing innovative products while
respecting the intellectual property rights of others."
Lesson here is mess with Nintendo and they will try to take
everything from you.