Nintendo found liable in 3D patent infringement lawsuit

A United States federal jury has found Nintendo liable for infringement relating to 3D display patent owned by inventor Seijiro Tomita, according to a report by Reuters. The jury awarded Tomita $30.2 million in damages in the case.

"We are thankful to the jurors for their diligence and hard work. It has been a honor to represent Mr. Tomita and to protect his invention," Tomita attorney Joe Diamante told Reuters in a statement.

In opening statements a few weeks ago, Scott Lindvall from Nintendo's legal team argued that Nintendo's 3DS did not use a key aspect of Tomita's patent. A Nintendo representative told Polygon that the company is "confident" that the result will be set aside and not affect shipments of the 3DS.

"The Tomita patent did not relate to the 3D games playable on the Nintendo 3DS. Nintendo is confident that the result will be set aside. The jury's verdict will not impact Nintendo's continued sales in the United States of its highly acclaimed line of video game hardware, software and accessories, including the Nintendo 3DS. Nintendo has a long history of developing innovative products while respecting the intellectual property rights of others," said the company's statement to Polygon.