Looks like that antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft is about to go ahead – with a federal judge naying Microsoft’s attempts at having the case against them dismissed.
Datel, you may recall, filed suit against the console manufacturer after an Xbox update rendered its 3rd-party unlicenced, reverse-engineered memory cards inoperable.
The company argues that Microsoft violates U.S. antitrust laws by forcing customers to rely on first-party accessories. First-party accessories that cost a whole bunch, too. Datel tried to circumvent the need to use expensive storage – but unfortunately they also circumvented Microsoft’s security system and the official accessory licencing program – so I don’t see the case having much merit in the end.
Of course, with the latest Xbox 360 update enabling the use of standard USB flash drives it’s all moot, really. Still, that hasn’t stopped Microsoft responding with a retaliatory lawsuit of their very own. they claim Datel infringed on it’s patents in their "TurboFire" and "WildFire" wireless controllers.
Last Updated: April 29, 2010
WitWolfyZA
April 29, 2010 at 13:06
LOL how idiotic.. MS should stop trying to run a monopoly industry. The wider the variety of accessories are, the more ppl would wanna buy it.
Me for one would like to have me some of those modded controllers with those lights in . Or Even something that gives us the rapid fire function.. Seeing the lag gets so bad on GOW 2 when u dont get host
Gavin Mannion
April 29, 2010 at 13:12
So you’re admitting you want to buy a controller that gives you an unfair advantage? That would justify Microsoft’s actions then I guess.
As for the memory card, I personally believe Microsoft is fighting Datel to avoid a new lawsuit when they drop the card slots from their next version of the console. If they allow it they then need to support it
WitWolfyZA
April 29, 2010 at 13:23
Yes I admit i want a controller that gives rapid fire. Don’t see anything wrong with that. With the lag it seems like their all using the rapid fire controller against me and my buddies all of the time. I swear ill put it away when we play local :devil:
And you never saw Sony going bat sh-t when other 3rd companies brought out cheaper memory units,rendering it useless, because they feel they are losing revenue.
That’s like Volkswagen saying no if you install a better audio system. Just doesn’t make sense for me. Wont be long until MS tells you to use a certain ISP, or else no MP match ups for you too.
Geoff
April 29, 2010 at 13:36
Actually Sony did the same thing with the PS2. PS2 memory cards used magicgate encryption and unauthorised 3rd party cards could not be written to or read from – until magicgate was cracked and larger cards (from companies like Datel) started being produced. Unlike new consoles with updateable firmware, there was pretty much nothing Sony could do about it.
WitWolfyZA
April 29, 2010 at 14:09
:getlost: such a smart ass :pirate: