This week in video game news…

Nintendo

Lawsuit Time!

Where’s Phoenix Wright when you need him?  Motiva LLC is suing Nintendo for patent infringement (yes, another one of THOSE cases).  Last May, Nintendo was hit hard in another patent infringement case with a verdict of $21 million.  Motiva claims that Nintendo stole their patented technology in order to create the Wii remote.  The patent included words like, “Human Movement Measurement System” that could be used to create an interactive gaming experience among other things.  Mr. Lanier, the counsel for Motiva, stated (and we are not kidding): “Using someone else’s technology without permission is theft…  Nintendo makes video games where you get to play a thief, but that doesn’t give them the right to be one.”  OH NO HE DIDN’T!

Sony

LittleBigPlanet Woes

One of the biggest selling points of LittleBigPlanet is the ability to create your own stages and share them with the world.  Sounds like fun right?  And it is… if you don’t get moderated by the authoritarian Sony police force.  Many creations are getting moderated without warning for copyright violations.  Tributes to classic video game levels will be deleted… yes, the entire level will be deleted.  Hours of work will be for naught.  So, before you upload, keep a back up.

Microsoft

Microsoft Wields the Almighty Ban-Hammer

Thinking of piracy?  No one will know… right?  HOLD IT!  Using illegally modified 360s to play pirated games is a recipe for disaster.  Microsoft knows all and they will ban your Xbox Live account swiftly and stealthily.  In fact, the voices of those banned began to escalate to the point that Microsoft issued a statement.  The statement said, “You should know that modifying your Xbox 360 console is also a violation of the Xbox LIVE terms of use, will void your warranty and result in a ban from Xbox LIVE.”  No beating around the bush here.