Immersion Responds to Microsoft Lawsuit

Back in 2002, Immersion, the corporation behind feedback offered in many of today’s standard game controllers, filed suit against Microsoft and Sony stating an infringement in patents. The trial resulted in Microsoft having pay out a hefty $26 million for licensing rights as well as a stake in the company, while Sony was ordered to hand over $82 million in damages. An agreement was finally reached between Sony and Immersion, which has in turn resulted in Microsoft filing a lawsuit against Immersion.

Earlier this week, we reported that Microsoft had filed suit against Immersion under the terms that company has not lived up to their side of the contract originally agreed upon. Microsoft is claiming Immersion agreed to provide the company with a cut in the settlement offered by Sony, something Immersion is strongly denying.

“Immersion believes that it is not obligated under the sublicense agreement with Microsoft to make any payment to Microsoft relating to the conclusion of its litigation with Sony Computer Entertainment. Immersion intends to defend this lawsuit vigorously,” the company said in a statement.

A further comment provided by Microsoft associate general counsel Steve Aeschbacher reads: “We entered into a binding licensing agreement with Immersion and are seeking to have that agreement honored. Microsoft licenses technology both in and out and relies on these agreements to be honored and enforced. Our request to the court is that all companies and industry partners should play by the same rules and that the binding agreement we signed with Immersion be honored.”

We’ll keep you updated.