Microsoft and Immersion have settled their dispute relating to the licensing of the 'Rumble' (haptic) technology developed by the latter. Immersion is paying Microsoft $20.75 million (£11.23 million - or 14.06m), as well as being accepted onto the platform holder's certified developer programme.
The settlement means that Microsoft has recouped a significant chunk of the $26 million (£14.07 million or 17.62m) it paid to Immersion (for rumble licensing rights and an equity investment) back in 2003.
It was one of the clauses in that deal that resulted in the payment. It was agreed at the time that should rumble technology ever be licensed by Immersion to Sony, Microsoft would be entitled to a $15 million (£8.13 million or 10.17 million) payment from the company. When Immersion settled its lawsuit with Sony relating to rumble, licensing the technology to the platform holder, Immersion refused to pay up. Microsoft went on to initiate legal proceedings.
Immersion, for its part, seemed far from certain that it would win in its case, stating at the time, it is uncertain that Microsoft will accept the Company's position or that the Company will ultimately prevail with its position."
The Microsoft settlement comes hot on the heels of Immersion settling another case, this one with Internet Services, LLC. The company had originally sued Immersion for a share of proceeds from the company's lawsuits against Sony and Microsoft. That was settled previously, with the agreement on Monday relating to Immersion's counter-claims.
We are pleased to resolve our outstanding dispute with Microsoft and to put this litigation behind us", uttered Immersion's president and, CEO Clent Richardson. We now have our full attention and focus devoted to working with innovative companies around the world, including Microsoft, to accelerate and rapidly achieve global adoption of our haptic technology in gaming, consumer electronics, mobility, and medical products.
Maybe, just maybe, this means we can stop writing stories containing both the words 'Immersion' and 'lawsuit'...
Sources:
Immersion
Wall Street Journal
The settlement means that Microsoft has recouped a significant chunk of the $26 million (£14.07 million or 17.62m) it paid to Immersion (for rumble licensing rights and an equity investment) back in 2003.
It was one of the clauses in that deal that resulted in the payment. It was agreed at the time that should rumble technology ever be licensed by Immersion to Sony, Microsoft would be entitled to a $15 million (£8.13 million or 10.17 million) payment from the company. When Immersion settled its lawsuit with Sony relating to rumble, licensing the technology to the platform holder, Immersion refused to pay up. Microsoft went on to initiate legal proceedings.
Immersion, for its part, seemed far from certain that it would win in its case, stating at the time, it is uncertain that Microsoft will accept the Company's position or that the Company will ultimately prevail with its position."
The Microsoft settlement comes hot on the heels of Immersion settling another case, this one with Internet Services, LLC. The company had originally sued Immersion for a share of proceeds from the company's lawsuits against Sony and Microsoft. That was settled previously, with the agreement on Monday relating to Immersion's counter-claims.
We are pleased to resolve our outstanding dispute with Microsoft and to put this litigation behind us", uttered Immersion's president and, CEO Clent Richardson. We now have our full attention and focus devoted to working with innovative companies around the world, including Microsoft, to accelerate and rapidly achieve global adoption of our haptic technology in gaming, consumer electronics, mobility, and medical products.
Maybe, just maybe, this means we can stop writing stories containing both the words 'Immersion' and 'lawsuit'...
Sources:
Immersion
Wall Street Journal
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Comments
Daz 27 Aug 2008 12:45
1/3
could MS make it more obvious that they're afraid of Sony?
I'm mean asking for money if they're allowed rumble that just screams fear.
I'm mean asking for money if they're allowed rumble that just screams fear.
deleted 27 Aug 2008 18:28
2/3
I dont see how this makes MS come across as fearing of sony, it was just good business sense MS knew that Immersion would win that s why they paid the Settlement and they knew Sony would fight to the bitter end and lose and then Immersion would have to pay MS!! clever!
Also thanks for posting this spong been wondering about this case since it was first mentioned, but noticed you havent had a news posting about the rumored $99.99 360 popping up in every store in the US, have you guys asked for a no comment from MS on the possibility that if this happens in the States we might get a £99.99 360?
Also thanks for posting this spong been wondering about this case since it was first mentioned, but noticed you havent had a news posting about the rumored $99.99 360 popping up in every store in the US, have you guys asked for a no comment from MS on the possibility that if this happens in the States we might get a £99.99 360?
PreciousRoi 28 Aug 2008 05:31
3/3
Yeah, this is just the time-delayed result that we all expected a long time ago. As a result of the delay the PR value is lessened quite a bit, but the outcome is fundmentally unchanged, Sony has paid MS for the use of rumble. May I say..."Hah!".