Top Gaming Stories

Print This

Patent Office Denies Nintendo Wii Remote Trademark

gamepro.com | December 04 2008

The official term for the Nintendo Wii controller is the Wii Remote, so of course Nintendo would like to trademark it. Problem: the U.S. Patent Office recently denied Nintendo's application.

Patent Office Denies Nintendo Wii Remote Trademark

Sorry Ninty, 'Remote' is common domain

The apparent problem: if the Patent Office allowed Nintendo to trademark "Wii Remote", it would give the impression that they own the term "remote", which is too general for anyone to own. A letter sent from the Patent Office to Nintendo on November 26th specifies the patent could only be granted if Nintendo specifically disclaimed any ownership of the word "remote" every time they used the trademark.

So how's all this legal junk relevant to gamers? Consider this: if Nintendo can't trademark the term "Wii Remote", then any third party who could successfully reverse engineer a clone of the controller could legally market it as a "Wii Remote". Given the sheer quantity of ridiculous peripherals Wii owners are already willing to buy, and the expense of Nintendo's own official remotes, there's probably a lot of money to made here at NIntendo's expense.

More from OMG Nintendo
Flash Games You Play With Your Wii Remote
Man Invented Wii Remote Over 10 Years Ago
Hackers Use Wiimote to Make Robot Dance

Get Previous | Get Next
View all

Release Calendar

Mar 31
to
Apr 07 		Mar 31 Apr 01 Apr 02 Apr 03 Apr 04 Apr 05 Apr 06