Microsoft accused of patent infringement in the development of the Kinect system

Microsoft is facing legal action for patent infringement during the development of its Kinect gaming controller. The lawsuit was filed by Impulse Technology.

Besides Microsoft, other major game developers, including Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, and THQ, have also been accused of patent infringement. The infringed patents describe technologies for tracking and interpreting user movements in 3D space. This feature became the key hallmark of the Kinect controller.

Specifically, according to Impulse Technology, the Kinect controller infringes seven patents. Notably, the first of these was filed back in 2001, and the most recent last year.

Impulse Technology claims that Microsoft received formal notice that its products infringe on other patents, but there was no response.

Microsoft declined to comment on the matter, emphasizing that the corporation monitors whether its products violate any patents.