Payback time has finally arrived for Microsoft who have successfully turned full circle on Immersion games, the company that sued Microsoft and Sony in 2003 for infringing on their haptic technology patent by using it in their force feedback joysticks. Microsoft settled out of court that time paying $26 million to Immersion for the licensing fee for the technology and a stake in the company.
Sony on the other hand didn't initially pay up for the license and instead waited until the development of the Dualshock 3 controller in order to use the technology.
The deal that Microsoft struck with Immersion allegedly claimed that if Sony were to use Immersion's rumble technology at any point in the future then Microsoft should be compensated to the tune of $15 million.
After initially refusing to cough up, the matter has now been settled and Immersion has paid Microsoft $20.75 million in compensation.
“We are pleased to resolve our outstanding dispute with Microsoft and to put this litigation behind us," said Immersion president and CEO Clent Richardson.
“We now have our full attention and focus devoted to working with innovative companies around the world, including Microsoft, to accelerate and rapidly achieve global adoption of our haptic technology in gaming, consumer electronics, mobility, and medical products.”
Source : MCV
UPDATED: 7.50pm 27/08 - The initial article stated that Sony did not pay for the Immersion license at all, that was incorrect and the article has been amended.
