Immersion Corporation

Last updated

Immersion Corporation
Company type Public
IndustryTechnology
Founded1993;31 years ago (1993)
Founder Louis Rosenberg
Headquarters,
U.S.
Key people
Francis Jose
(CEO & general counsel)
RevenueIncrease2.svg US$35.1 million (2021)
Number of employees
26 (2021)
Website immersion.com OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Footnotes /references
[1]

Immersion Corporation is an Aventura, Florida based developer and licensor of touch feedback technology, also known as haptic technology. Immersion Corporation has been accused of being a patent troll. [2] [3] [4] Founded in 1993 by Louis Rosenberg, it is currently headed by lawyer Francis Jose, who serves as both chief executive officer and general counsel. [5]

Contents

History

Litigation

Sony and Microsoft

In 2002, Immersion filed a suit against Microsoft and Sony alleging that their game console controllers were infringing on two of Immersion's patents, which were extensions of US Patent 6,088,017 , itself filed 1998 by Virtual Technologies Inc which Immersion later acquired.; [13] both defendants eventually reached agreements with Immersion that involved multimillion-dollar payments. [14]

Meta Platforms

In May 2022, Immersion sued Meta Platforms for patent infringement relating to the use of vibration functions in their gaming controllers. [15]

Valve

In May 2023, Immersion sued Valve Corporation for patent infringement relating to the use of vibration functions in their Steam Deck and Valve Index gaming hardware. [16]

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References

  1. "Immersion Corp. 2021 Annual Report (Form 10-K)". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. February 25, 2022.
  2. 1 2 Baxter, Brian (September 2, 2021). "Immersion Elevates Legal Head to CEO amid Patent Battles". Bloomberg Law. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  3. Gross, Kyle (2009). "Game On: The Rising Prevalence of Patent-Related Issues in the Video Game Industry". SMU Science and Technology Law Review. 12 (3): 259–260, 267. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  4. "Apple Sued by Immersion for Allegedly Infringing Haptic Feedback Patents Used in 3D Touch". Tech Times. February 12, 2016.
  5. "About". Immersion. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  6. "Immersion - FAQ - Developer". Immersion.com. Retrieved August 26, 2007.
  7. "Companies Redouble Efforts to Deliver Consistent Support, Compatibility Across Wide Range of Products". Microsoft PressPass. February 3, 1999. Retrieved August 26, 2007.
  8. "Microsoft and Immersion Collaborate To Advance Feel-Simulation Technologies". Microsoft PressPass. August 5, 1999. Retrieved August 26, 2007.
  9. "IMMERSION CORP (IMMR) IPO". NASDAQ.com. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
  10. "Immersion Corporation's IP Value as an Acquisition Target (NASDAQ:IMMR) | Seeking Alpha". July 29, 2014.
  11. Mundy, Jon (February 12, 2016). "Apple being sued for familiar vibrations". Trusted Reviews. Retrieved February 13, 2016. Apple is facing legal action from haptic feedback technology company Immersion.
  12. Dornbrush, Jonathan (January 13, 2017). "Nintendo Switch Touchscreen Technology Powered By Immersion Corporation". IGN . Retrieved January 13, 2017.
  13. "Immersion Corporation - Corporate: Patents". Archived from the original on October 16, 2006. Retrieved August 23, 2006.
  14. Elinson, Zusha (October 13, 2008). "Former GC Reflects on Time Immersed in IP Battles". The Recorder. San Francisco: ALM . Retrieved September 3, 2010. Observers say Immersion's era of aggressive litigation and licensing was a success. In defending its patents on 'haptic' technology for applying touch sensation and control to computer programs, the company beat Sony, got money out of Microsoft, and has signed up medical, car and cell phone companies for patent licenses.
  15. Rosenblatt, Joel (May 27, 2022). "Meta Copied VR Technology Key to Metaverse Gaming, Immersion Claims - BNN Bloomberg". BNN. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  16. Hollister, Sean (May 16, 2023). "Valve just got sued by Immersion over Steam Deck and Index rumble". The Verge. Retrieved May 17, 2023.