Nintendo really can't seem to catch a break. Who could forget last May when they had to pay up 21 million USD due to a patent infringement on a "3D controller with vibration." Well, looks like the Wii-mote is following in the Waverbird's footsteps. Yet again, the company is being sued for copyright infringement, this time by an Ohio based company, Motiva. They are alleging that Nintendo is violating their patent on a "Human Movement Measurement System' comprising a hand-held tracking device in communication with a base station that can be used to create an interactive gaming experience."
 
Motiva filed their patent in July 2004 and finally had it granted in November 2007 (the patent can be read here http://www.google.com/patents?id=ctCRAAAAEBAJ&dq=7,292,151). However, an outsider has to wonder if the Wii-mote would even be an issue if the Wii wasn't such a success. Not that Nintendo cares; with Wii's and the Wii Fit flying off the shelves, and the upcoming holiday season, they have deep enough pockets to survive a few lawsuits. The Law Firm representing Motiva is Lanier Law firm, with Mr.Lanier himself making several comments. Perhaps the most comical being, "Nintendo makes video games where you get to play a thief, but that doesn't give them the right to be one." He also stated that, "Using someone else's technology without permission is theft." It should be noted that although the patent was approved in November 2007, the Wii came out in late 2006.
 
Nintendo fans everywhere probably could care less about patent infringements and lawsuits as long as they get to play their games. The Wii has skyrocketed to success and is making gaming become more main stream by appealing to casual gamers.