Full Version: Why Do People Say The D-pad Is Patent Encumbered?
I've been reading a couple threads here... why do people keep saying the d-pad is parented? Patents only last 20 years, and the d-pad has been around at least that long.
QUOTE(Logomachist @ Oct 23 2007, 01:50 AM) 
Patents only last 20 years in the US
And plus theyve probably 'updated' it
They could've gone with what the Sega Nomad had, which was a D-pad for all intents and purposes and was more comfortable anyway.
Or did Sega patent that particular design?
/this comeback post is rather sucky...
Or did Sega patent that particular design?
/this comeback post is rather sucky...
yes this is true patents can last for a very long time, also there are renewal fees to be considered.
The actual US patent says it was started on August 18th, 1987. If its 20 years then it would be past due now.
D-Pad Patent
D-Pad Patent
Nintendo holds the D-pad Patent. and have an agency that is there to renew the patents.
QUOTE(linoleum13 @ Oct 23 2007, 02:53 PM)
The actual US patent says it was started on August 18th, 1987. If its 20 years then it would be past due now.
D-Pad Patent
Craig is a UK company, not a US one
Intellectual property is extremely complex. It is certainly not as simple as you patient something for a set period of time, nothing in law is that black and white. I am a Lawyer, but have never touched such matters and never would. There are people whom dedicate their entire careers to such specific areas of law. You will not get anything near a definitive response from asking such a speculative question, unless you are prepared to pay somebody a lot of money to potentially save you a lot of money from future litigation.
QUOTE(sam fisher @ Oct 23 2007, 05:41 PM)
QUOTE(linoleum13 @ Oct 23 2007, 02:53 PM)
The actual US patent says it was started on August 18th, 1987. If its 20 years then it would be past due now.
Craig is a UK company, not a US one
Publication No GB2144582 dated 06.03.1985
Examination requested 31.07.1985
Patent Granted with effect from 10.06.1987 (Section 25(1)) with title
MULTI-DIRECTIONAL SWITCH
01.08.2003 Patent expired on 04.08.2003
Date Filed 05.08.1983
Date Not in Force 04.08.2003
Date of Last Renewal 31.07.2002
Year of Last Renewal 20
Next Renewal Date
Status EXPIRED
=========
Seems like they only registered it for 20 years in the UK too, and didn't bother to renew it.
However, that doesn't stop Ninty from sueing you anyway. No, they wouldn't win, but they'd be able to bankrupt you with legal fees.
Hmmmm, A bombardment of suage is more of M$'s angle isn't it?
Nintendo and Sony are known for doing it too. Don't know about Sega.
Check out these patents by Nintendo too:
GB2344638A
GB2247107A
GB2340212A
Check out these patents by Nintendo too:
GB2344638A
GB2247107A
GB2340212A
Is there a patent for NeoGeo Pocket's 8-way clicky stick?
It's one of the best devices for directional control.
It's one of the best devices for directional control.
QUOTE(Squidge @ Oct 23 2007, 03:48 PM)
However, that doesn't stop Ninty from sueing you anyway. No, they wouldn't win, but they'd be able to bankrupt you with legal fees.
Yup. Just like Sony did to Bleem!
I dunno... Nintendo suing a company that makes a Linux-based handheld over a clearly expired patent? Something tells me the FSF would love to take 'em on, and in the end Nintendo would be the one paying the fees.
Plus here's more evidence that the D-pad patent is expired: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D-pad
Plus here's more evidence that the D-pad patent is expired: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D-pad
Nintendo hasn't sued the hundreds of other companies that has used D-Pads, have they?
Which hundreds of companies are you talking about? Note that the dpad needs to look the same as that shown in the patent.
QUOTE(Squidge @ Oct 24 2007, 10:20 AM)
Which hundreds of companies are you talking about? Note that the dpad needs to look the same as that shown in the patent.
Nevermind.
QUOTE(jmetal88 @ Oct 23 2007, 09:40 PM)
QUOTE(Squidge @ Oct 23 2007, 03:48 PM)
However, that doesn't stop Ninty from sueing you anyway. No, they wouldn't win, but they'd be able to bankrupt you with legal fees.
Yup. Just like Sony did to Bleem!
And also like what they did to Lik-Sang.
-God Ginrai
QUOTE(dosteridge @ Oct 23 2007, 03:40 PM)
Intellectual property is extremely complex. It is certainly not as simple as you patient something for a set period of time, nothing in law is that black and white. I am a Lawyer, but have never touched such matters and never would. There are people whom dedicate their entire careers to such specific areas of law. You will not get anything near a definitive response from asking such a speculative question, unless you are prepared to pay somebody a lot of money to potentially save you a lot of money from future litigation.
"Thread win", in contemporary parlance.
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