Nintendo and Philips settle legal dispute

An ongoing legal disagreement between Nintendo and Philips has been brought to a close.

In May Philips tried to halt sales of Nintendo’s assorted devices in the US, alleging that two of its motion control patents had been infringed – a claim that was upheld by a US court the following month.

The pair have now agreed to cross license portions of each company’s patent portfolio”, with Philips halting its legal action.

We are pleased to have reached agreement with Philips, as it demonstrates that both companies recognize the importance of intellectual property rights,” Nintendo’s European general counsel Martina Franke said.

Nintendo has a substantial IP portfolio and a long history of developing innovative products while respecting valid intellectual property rights of others.”

Philips chief IPO officer Brain Hinman added: "We are very pleased to have reached this agreement with Nintendo. It demonstrates that both companies recognize the importance of intellectual property rights.”