The Nintendo Wii best known for its interesting control scheme and method for interacting with the gamer. A key component to this innovative control mechanism is the Wii Remote, otherwise known as Wiimote. Though it has never been trademarked, Nintendo has been using the term “Wii Remote” since the console launched last year.
It looks as if Nintendo of America is looked to remedy this situation, attempting to apply for a trademark on the aforementioned term back in March of this year. Unfortunately for Reggie and company, GamePolitics.com is reporting that the application for the exclusive right to the term has been suspended. Apparently the term is far too generic, because “remote” is used interchangeably with numerous devices that are already available on the market.
So why wouldn’t Nintendo just patent the term “Wiimote” instead? It seems as if the answer to that question is simple:
“As GamePolitics reported in July, Fobis Technologies, a small Florida manufacturer which manufactures a T.V. remote control for children, has owned the trademark to Weemote since 2000. Fobis and Nintendo engaged in discussions regarding Nintendo’s potential purchase of the trademark, but the console maker ultimately walked away from those discussions.” – GamePolitics.com
So either one of two things happened:
- Nintendo was afraid to pony up for the rights to use the term “Wiimote”
- Fobis Technologies wanted too much money for the rights
As far as I am concerned, it shouldn’t matter who has the rights to the names “Wii Remote” or “Wiimote,” because it is just a political pissing match. Besides, Nintendo making money hand over fist anyway, so who cares what people call it. No matter what happens, at the end of the day Miyamoto is still laughing all the way to the bank.
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