Logomachist
Still Fresh
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.
Why Do People Say The D-pad Is Patent Encumbered?
- Thread starter Logomachist
- Start date
sam fisher
Well-Known Member
Logomachist said:
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Esn
(:";
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...
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linoleum13
Member
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
sam fisher
Well-Known Member
linoleum13 said: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
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dosteridge
I play, therefore I am?
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.
Squidge
Certified Guru
sam fisher said:Craig is a UK company, not a US onelinoleum13 said:
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.
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sam fisher
Well-Known Member
Hmmmm, A bombardment of suage is more of M$'s angle isn't it?
Squidge
Certified Guru
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
jmetal88
Erm.... Woohoo!
Yup. Just like Sony did to Bleem!Squidge said:
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Logomachist
Still Fresh
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
sam fisher
Well-Known Member
Nintendo hasn't sued the hundreds of other companies that has used D-Pads, have they?
Squidge
Certified Guru
Which hundreds of companies are you talking about? Note that the dpad needs to look the same as that shown in the patent.
sam fisher
Well-Known Member
Nevermind.Squidge said:
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God Ginrai
Godmaster
jmetal88 said:
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saehn
Graphician
"Thread win", in contemporary parlance.dosteridge said:
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