Nintendo under fire for patent
by Kit

Wednesday, July 7 2004

Group looks to revoke Nintendo patent.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EEF) is spurring efforts to overturn 10 Internet and software patents that the group claims are so all encompassing, they threaten innovation.

Among the 10-targeted patents is one by Nintendo, Co., Ltd. Patent number 6,672,963 was filed on November 28, 2000 and outlines a “software emulator for emulating a handheld video game platform such as GAME BOY.RTM., GAME BOY COLOR.RTM. and/or GAME BOY ADVANCE.RTM. on a low-capability target platform (e.g., a seat-back display for airline or train use, a personal digital assistant, a cell phone) uses a number of features and optimizations to provide high quality graphics and sound that nearly duplicates the game playing experience on the native platform.”

The EEF says Nintendo’s patent, “Threatens reverse engineering of videogames to promote interoperability and emulation by hobbyists and entrepreneurs.”

EEF’s “lawyers and technologists” plan to petition the Patent and Trademark Office to revoke the patents in question.

--- Kit