Nintendo Switch Lawsuit: Gamevice Alleges Wikipad Patent Infringement

Nintendo is being sued for allegedly violating one of Gamevice’s patents. Gamevice’s suit claims that the Nintendo Switch’s Joy-Con controllers seem to be copying the Gamevice Wikipad.

In Gamevice’s suit, the company claims that the removable Joy-Con controllers for the Nintendo Switch are too similar to Gamevice’s own solution for detachable game controllers. The tablet portion of the Switch is also in question since Gamevice claims that Nintendo’s solution for attaching the Joy-Con is close to its device with a “flexible bridge section,” Engadget has learned.

Gamevice’s Wikipad comes with dual analog sticks, an analog D-pad and four action buttons. A smartphone or tablet will then be able to slide into the Wikipad to provide users with a traditional handheld gaming experience, according to GameSpot.

READ: Resident Evil Revelations’ For Nintendo Switch Set For Release In Late 2017​

The Wikipad was released back in 2013, and it was received well by critics. However, it never really garnered much of a commercial success.

Gamevice most recently came out with a controller accessory that can clip on to smartphones and tablets. However, This is vastly different from the Nintendo Switch since the Joy-Cons actually slide into place. The Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons are also able to work while detached from the Switch console itself, as pointed out by Eurogamer. To be fair, Nintendo has been woking on its own mobile gaming solution for years. The early concept for the Wii U from 2012 is evidence of this.

Gamevice is asking for damages and the ban of sale of the Nintendo Switch. If this were to happen, it would certainly affect the success of the Nintendo Switch, which has been enjoying a steady demand from consumers. Nintendo has already sold 4.7 million Switch consoles since it first launched back in March.

It’s apparent that both devices have a lot in common and have a lot of differences, but it will ultimately be up to the courts to decide whether Gamevice actually has a case against Nintendo. Nintendo hasn’t addressed the lawsuit yet, while Gamevice declined to comment.

Nintendo has already been slowly coming out with new titles for the Switch as it also recently made its online services available to gamers. Most recently, the Japanese gaming firm released the 3.0.1 system software update for the console, which fixed issues with the Switch’s battery charge indicator.

READ: Nintendo Switch 3.0.1 System Update Squishes Battery Charge Indicator Bug​

The Nintendo Switch will also be getting more games from publisher/developer Capcom. Capcom’s “Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers” sold over 450,000 copies during the first quarter, which prompted the publisher’s desire to release more games for the Switch.

It was revealed earlier this month that Capcom will be releasing “Resident Evil Revelations” for the Nintendo Switch some time in late 2017. The game is also headed to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One later this month on Aug. 29.

With Gamevice’s lawsuit against Nintendo, it could possibly become a threat to the Switch’s success moving forward. At the very least, it could slow down the Switch’s progress. Nintendo predicted that it would be able to sell 10 million units of the Switch by the end of its fiscal year 2018.