The US International Trade Commission has initiated an investigation against Nintendo. This comes after Gamevice has accused the company of violating its patent on attachable handheld gamepads.
Is Nintendo’s Switch fate hanging?
In case you don’t know, Gamevice is the company responsible for developing Wikipad and a line of snap-on controllers. The company has asserted that Nintendo has actually violated the provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930. Now, Gamevice is requesting a cease and desist order against Nintendo.
With this, the fate of Nintendo’s Switch is hanging as the cease and desist order may consequently halt the imports of Switch in the United States of America.
“The products at issue in the investigation are controller systems with parts that attach to two sides of an electronic device, such as a smartphone or tablet, and the parts fit into a user’s hands and have gaming controls,” the USITC’s statement reads.
The USITC has yet to schedule and announce the possible date of the end investigation within the inclusive 45 days. Furthermore, the USITC noted that while the investigation has started, it has yet to rule the validity of the complaint.
An evidentiary hearing will be held to determine if indeed Nintendo has violated the provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930. The USITC said that it would announce its final decision the soonest possible and practicable time.
As of posting, Nintendo has yet to issue a statement about the investigation.
