When it comes to new technology, especially surrounding motion-control, it’s practically a minefield of intellectual patents for the videogames industry.
Microsoft has officially confirmed they’ve acquired Israeli-based 3DV Systems, which owns patents in - wait for it - 3D motion-sensing camera technology. Natal is not of 3DV says MS.
”No, we built this in-house,” Greenberg affirmed during E3, when asked if Natal is anything to do with 3DV Systems. It’s likely that Microsoft just wants to make sure no firm suddenly decides to try and sue the motion-control pants off them later down the line.
”We want to ensure that we have great intellectual property protection,” said Microsoft’s Shane Kim around E3. ”You have to have a strong legal approach, and this is not easy stuff. It has to be all buttoned up, legally.”
Microsoft and Sony have been involved in costly suits with Immersion in recent years, the haptic technology company behind the rumble feedback found in their controllers. This acquisition sounds like a smart move by Microsoft to silence would be opponents to Natal.
Source: Eurogamer
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