AfterDawn: Tech news

Datel antitrust case against Microsoft cleared to move forward

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 27 Apr 2010 5:03 User comments (4)

Datel antitrust case against Microsoft cleared to move forward In late October we reported that Microsoft was blocking all "unlicensed" Xbox 360 storage devices, successfully forcing gamers to only purchase memory cards sold by Microsoft, at a higher price.
Large peripheral manufacturer Datel struck back in late November, filing an antitrust lawsuit.

In response, Microsoft filed motions to have the case dismissed but a judge has thrown out those motions today, clearing the way for Datel's suit to move forward. Because the motions were dismissed, the two parties will now meet in preparation of their upcoming June 2nd hearing.



Microsoft recently sued the UK-based accessory maker over its Xbox 360 controllers, claiming the company illegally copied the design.

The controllers in question are the Datel "TurboFire" and "WildFire" wireless controllers, which sell for $40 USD online. Microsoft says the controllers infringe on a few patents held by the software giant.

Previous Next  

4 user comments

128.4.2010 12:36

GO DATEL!!! KICK THIER ASSES!!!!!!!!!!!

230.4.2010 21:03

Gotta love the power of M$. They will win this one (worst luck). I am waiting for the day when they loose a case and are fined more money than they have in their back pocket.

330.4.2010 21:20
Paula_X
Inactive

As far as I know.. there is a precident for this case stretching back pretty much as long as the dawn of the industrial revolution.

As long as your device is completely designed and built by yourself (or your company) and isn't a "clone" in outward appearance or internal workings of the original patentees device.. then it's allowed..

It's like a railway line maker saying "you can only use OUR rolling stock and engines on OUR tracks" .. or a car company saying "you can only fit our wheels.. anybody making after market custom parts we will sue into the ground" FAIL!!

MS are actually proving the case they are trying to fight against.. they are deliberately trying to use threats of legal action and monopolistic force to deny any fair competition.. In a sensible world they would be fined out of existence and their goods.. every single product they make and sell.. banned from sale everywhere until they lose the case and have paid up.

Of course.. they will just pay the judge and the politicians to ensure that never happens.. same as usual... and the law abiding public lose their legal and state enforced (hahaha.. that's a laugh) rights again, sacrificed on the altar of corporate abuse and greed.

My sig shows what I think of MS .. and I have thought the same way since 1993..

41.5.2010 03:30

Good on you, man! Thank you for being the voice of the consumers who can only find one maker in the market. Free enterprise! Cheap knockoffs! Like it or hate it, if it's legal, it's better than full price! No Monopolies!

Comments have been disabled for this article.

Latest news

VLC hits milestone: over 5 billion downloads VLC hits milestone: over 5 billion downloads (16 Mar 2024 4:31)
VLC Media Player, the versatile video-software powerhouse, has achieved a remarkable feat: it has been downloaded over 5 billion times.
2 user comments
Sideloading apps to Android gets easier, as Google settles its lawsuit Sideloading apps to Android gets easier, as Google settles its lawsuit (19 Dec 2023 11:09)
Google settled its lawsuit in September 2023, and one of the settlement terms was that the way applications are installed on Android from outside the Google Play Store must become simpler. In the future, installing APK files will be easier.
8 user comments
Roomba Combo j7+ review - Clever trick allows robot vacuum finally to tackle home with rugs and carpets Roomba Combo j7+ review - Clever trick allows robot vacuum finally to tackle home with rugs and carpets (06 Jun 2023 9:19)
Roomba Combo j7+ is the very first Roomba model to combine robot vacuum with mopping features. And Roomba Combo j7+ does all that with a very clever trick, which tackles the problem with mopping and carpets. But is it any good? We found out.
Neato, the robot vacuum company, ends its operations Neato, the robot vacuum company, ends its operations (02 May 2023 3:38)
Neato Robotics has ceased its operations. American robot vacuum pioneer founded in 2005 has finally called it quits and company will cease its operations and sales. Only a skeleton crew will remain who will keep the servers running until 2028.
5 user comments
How to Send Messages to Yourself on WhatsApp How to Send Messages to Yourself on WhatsApp (20 Mar 2023 1:25)
The world's most popular messaging platform, Meta-owned WhatsApp has enabled sending messages to yourself. While at first, this might seem like an odd feature, it can be very useful in a lot of situations. ....
18 user comments

News archive