This isn't the first time the two company's have resorted to the courtroom to settle peripheral-related beefs: Datel filed a suit against Microsoft late last year when the console maker blocked the use of unlicensed memory units on Xbox 360.
Microsoft presses 'A' to sue Datel over supposed copycat controller
by Randy Nelson 
on Apr 2nd 2010 3:18PM
50
This isn't the first time the two company's have resorted to the courtroom to settle peripheral-related beefs: Datel filed a suit against Microsoft late last year when the console maker blocked the use of unlicensed memory units on Xbox 360.
Reader Comments (50)
Posted: Apr 2nd 2010 3:21PM Sambone said
Who would buy that ugly ass thing anyway?
Posted: Apr 2nd 2010 3:27PM CaptainProtonX said
People who probably want a better d-pad and rapid fire.
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Posted: Apr 2nd 2010 3:35PM Puertoricarious said
lord knows i only look at my controller whenever i'm playing video games. you people with your silly "graphics" and "TVs".
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Posted: Apr 2nd 2010 6:05PM Dr Perry Ulysses Cox said
Actually, my experience seems to point to the official ones lasting longer, eventually making them less expensive than the knock-offs.
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Posted: Apr 2nd 2010 3:21PM GoldandFinal said
Microsoft's probably jealous that the D-Pad is better
Posted: Apr 2nd 2010 4:05PM Puertoricarious said
hey, don't you dare hate on russia's finest quality kontroller.
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Posted: Apr 2nd 2010 4:06PM Puertoricarious said
......reply fail.
or nonsensical crazy talk. whichever works.
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or nonsensical crazy talk. whichever works.
Posted: Apr 2nd 2010 4:19PM Elranzer said
Hori makes two Xbox 360 gamepads that have the cross-shaped D-pad, but they're officially licensed (and much better build than Datel's).
But Datel charges only like $19 for their stuff, whereas the Hori's are about $40 and up. I guess to be officially licensed, the fees add up (not to mention Microsoft probably forces you to use better plastics and PCBs than Datel uses, and Datel probably also ignores electric current standards, which may damage your 360 system).
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But Datel charges only like $19 for their stuff, whereas the Hori's are about $40 and up. I guess to be officially licensed, the fees add up (not to mention Microsoft probably forces you to use better plastics and PCBs than Datel uses, and Datel probably also ignores electric current standards, which may damage your 360 system).
Posted: Apr 2nd 2010 4:39PM BananaBoat said
From what I've read, Microsoft is upset that Datel isn't using Microsoft's verification chip for their 360 controller. They've figured out a way to work around it supposedly, in an attempt to cut Microsoft out of the loop. If this turns out to be true, then I could see why Microsoft would be pissed. Then again, getting around console protections is kind of what Datel does, so it shouldn't come as any surprise.
I was sympathetic to Datel over the memory card kerfuffle, but now? Ehh...maybe if I hadn't read this quote from the product page "With rapid fire enabled, weapons like single shot pistols in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, become lethal, fully automatic weapons that can empty a clip on an enemy in a second!" Good job Datel, creating one more way for people to cheat at MW2 (unless it can't be used in multiplayer, in which case, good show Datel)
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I was sympathetic to Datel over the memory card kerfuffle, but now? Ehh...maybe if I hadn't read this quote from the product page "With rapid fire enabled, weapons like single shot pistols in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, become lethal, fully automatic weapons that can empty a clip on an enemy in a second!" Good job Datel, creating one more way for people to cheat at MW2 (unless it can't be used in multiplayer, in which case, good show Datel)
Posted: Apr 2nd 2010 3:24PM Vman said
They're serious? I've seen that zone game console with the Wii like remotes but I haven't seen Nintendo sue the makers of that thing.
Posted: Apr 2nd 2010 3:26PM Captain Planet Planeteer Power said
Keyword in article:
Unlicensed
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Unlicensed
Posted: Apr 2nd 2010 3:31PM Kleptomaniac said
@captain planet
I think he means the Wii knock offs you see in supermarkets. I'm pretty sure they're not licensed but nintendo don't take much notice of them. Its kind of sad when you see unaware mothers buying their kids a Vii.
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I think he means the Wii knock offs you see in supermarkets. I'm pretty sure they're not licensed but nintendo don't take much notice of them. Its kind of sad when you see unaware mothers buying their kids a Vii.
Posted: Apr 2nd 2010 3:25PM Captain Planet Planeteer Power said
So Microsoft is suing for $87.00?
Posted: Apr 2nd 2010 3:26PM Railgun said
Why would anyone buy it if it's just an inferior clone of the 360 controller?
Posted: Apr 2nd 2010 3:59PM Punkrawk Bbob said
1000x better still makes it better. Your comment would be funny if it made sense and wasn't such an old gag.
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Posted: Apr 2nd 2010 3:28PM (Unverified) said
I'd sue them too just for having such an ugly, cheap look.
Posted: Apr 2nd 2010 3:34PM ThatStuffsLethal said
Are you refering to Microsoft or Datel?
ZING!
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ZING!
Posted: Apr 2nd 2010 3:35PM butaneko said
The turbo button is in a completely different place! Case dismissed.
Posted: Apr 2nd 2010 3:36PM Spike Spiegel Humble Bounty Hun said
I still support Datel. Don't care if people abused their products for hacking and such.
But yeah that controller is one ugly SOB.
But yeah that controller is one ugly SOB.
Posted: Apr 2nd 2010 4:03PM CaramelZappa said
It's more about them backwards engineering proprietary hardware and selling their stuff unlicensed than hacking.
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Posted: Apr 2nd 2010 4:04PM Spike Spiegel Humble Bounty Hun said
In this world sometimes that's what it takes.
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Posted: Apr 2nd 2010 3:41PM Typicalgamer said
this one actually has a good d-pad, though.
Posted: Apr 2nd 2010 3:43PM Sambone said
...but look at the analog sticks... it's that kind of plastic that your thumbs absolutely will NOT grip to unless you recently ate pancakes.
I'd rather have good grip and no wires than a semi-decent d-pad and a TURBO! button anyday.
I'd rather have good grip and no wires than a semi-decent d-pad and a TURBO! button anyday.
Posted: Apr 2nd 2010 3:55PM aristokrat said
Lucky for me, pancakes are all I eat. I have thumbs of gluey iron.
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Posted: Apr 2nd 2010 3:59PM Punkrawk Bbob said
I've been using a fork all these years. Pancakes are hand food?
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Posted: Apr 2nd 2010 3:45PM Sojoph said
The thing may look ugly to some people, but it actually does look a little similar to the offical 360 controller lol It's just a very basic version of it with a better looking d-pad and turbo.
Posted: Apr 2nd 2010 3:45PM KingOfGods said
They aren't suing for because it's a look a like. Datel has a habit of releasing peripherals that are not licensed. They used MS proprietary tech to make there controllers without consent from MS (through the licensing and branding program)
"We have a robust licensing program that ensures high standards and contributes to a great experience for the Xbox gamer community," Kutz said. "We have a responsibility to protect that program and the companies that are part of it, as well as our own intellectual property."
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-20001605-56.html?tag=mncol
"We have a robust licensing program that ensures high standards and contributes to a great experience for the Xbox gamer community," Kutz said. "We have a responsibility to protect that program and the companies that are part of it, as well as our own intellectual property."
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-20001605-56.html?tag=mncol
Posted: Apr 2nd 2010 4:14PM jameskond said
A? I'd rather press green =(
Posted: Apr 2nd 2010 4:16PM Elranzer said
I don't see why Microsoft doesn't just use a Plus/Cross-shaped d-pad like Nintendo originally came up with (and is used on this Datel gamepad).
I mean, it's true Nintendo had the patent on the cross-shaped D-pad, but that was back with the Game & Watch. The patent has expired by now (technology patents tend to be 14 years). Sony uses the design, and I'm sure they don't pay Nintendo a cent for the design patent (amongst all of the other Nintendo-like design aspects they've "borrowed").
I mean, it's true Nintendo had the patent on the cross-shaped D-pad, but that was back with the Game & Watch. The patent has expired by now (technology patents tend to be 14 years). Sony uses the design, and I'm sure they don't pay Nintendo a cent for the design patent (amongst all of the other Nintendo-like design aspects they've "borrowed").
Posted: Apr 2nd 2010 4:19PM Jason B said
I bought one of those for the PS3 with the analogs in the correct place. I like it, feels sturdy. The only problem I have with the thing is the triggers are too close together.
Posted: Apr 2nd 2010 4:20PM (Unverified) said
Microsoft should lose all rights to sue any company that attempts to put a functional dpad on their controller design. I am scared to play fighters on the 360 because of that thing (I've tried multiple times).
Posted: Apr 2nd 2010 4:23PM Dabogues said
Why is Joystiq showing a picture of a wired controller? I didn't think the "propriety wireless tech" angle made sense because of the photo.
Look at the specs of the controller here:
http://www.datel.co.uk/downloads/84___TurboFire%20Wireless%20Controller%20for%20Xbox360%20-%20User%20Guide.pdf
It even specifically says, "TurboFire is the only 3rd party 360 controller to offer 100% compatible communication with the Xbox 360 using the console’s proprietary wireless technology."
Microsoft may have a solid case if Datel is using proprietary tech (and doesn't even hide that fact) yet doesn't pay for it.
Look at the specs of the controller here:
http://www.datel.co.uk/downloads/84___TurboFire%20Wireless%20Controller%20for%20Xbox360%20-%20User%20Guide.pdf
It even specifically says, "TurboFire is the only 3rd party 360 controller to offer 100% compatible communication with the Xbox 360 using the console’s proprietary wireless technology."
Microsoft may have a solid case if Datel is using proprietary tech (and doesn't even hide that fact) yet doesn't pay for it.
Posted: Apr 2nd 2010 4:43PM (Unverified) said
Why isn't MS and Sony sued by Nintendo for copying the basic layout of the gamepad anyway? I mean it was Nintendo who first started the D-pad on left and the two(or more) buttons on the right. I'm sure Nintendo probably patented that way back in NES, if not earlier, with the little portable systems before that(those of you who have the King kong portable game system know what I mean).
Posted: Apr 2nd 2010 5:11PM KingBroly said
Looks to me like they're suing over a superior d-pad. Although that may not be saying much.
Posted: Apr 2nd 2010 5:37PM Platy said
The irony behind this is that the original Xbox 1 controller was an insane copy of the dreamcast controler xD
Posted: Apr 2nd 2010 9:34PM kenny goo said
Microsoft's just pissed because Datel helped put the nail in the coffin on their price gauged memory card market, thus forcing out the much less profitable USB flash drive update that's coming in a little bit.
Get the stick out of your ass and try and do something that doesn't ignore the fact that you've continue to give up even more worldwide marketshare to Sony and Nintendo please...
Get the stick out of your ass and try and do something that doesn't ignore the fact that you've continue to give up even more worldwide marketshare to Sony and Nintendo please...
Posted: Apr 3rd 2010 11:09AM (Unverified) said
xbox controller layout is identical to Gamecube's.
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