Sony lawsuit amusement

[reanjr]

From another thread based on original news story on gamespot.

You gotta love Microsoft's business savvy. Sony and MS both get sued by Immersion in 2002 over force feedback technology in PS2 and XBox. MS settled, paying Immersion $26 mil and acquiring a 10% share in the company. Sony fought and lost and is now being forced to pay $82 mil in damages - part of which is going straight to MS now that they own a stake in the company.

 

[Ranger REG]

MS paid $26 mil to Immersion as a settlement, who then own a piece of the company's stock?

Meh. $26 mil sounds like chump change for Windows maker.

 

[Arnwyn]

Savvy indeed. Microsoft is probably so used to lawsuits they're experts!

Such is the case with business lawsuits. Sometimes you take a risk and sometimes you don't. Sony took the risk (probably on the strength of their case) and lost out.

Meh. $26 mil sounds like chump change for Windows maker.

It is. That's why they did it.

 

[Brother Shatterstone]

You gotta love Microsoft's business savvy.

Oh you do... How long till Bill completely buys Immersion and sues Sony into building a new controller and what not?

 

[Ranger REG]

Oh you do... How long till Bill completely buys Immersion and sues Song into building a new controller and what not?

By Christmas 2005, when Sony released a force feedback version of the PSP.

 

[Ds Da Man]

Actually, Sony probably still made the best choice, because the YEARS of appeals before a dime is collected. Microsoft probably has to pay soon.

 

[Ranger REG]

You mean, Sony made a clever legal maneuver to delay the legal process. By doing so, they hope that the plaintiff would soon run out of legal fund or interest to continue the lawsuit.

 

[Brother Shatterstone]

Actually, Sony probably still made the best choice, because the YEARS of appeals before a dime is collected. Microsoft probably has to pay soon.

Right, but isn't typical this... If you lose you pay the court fee and such? Its not criminal court so it’s not all tax dollars being spent here.