Patent ruling could affect PS3 controller

Sony may be forced to drop or modify the DualShock feature on its upcoming PS3 controllers. Beta News reports: "A federal judge denied an effort by Sony Monday to overturn a jury verdict that awarded $90.7 million to Immersion over accusations of patent infringement. The ruling came after Immersion sued the PlayStation maker over the use of haptic technology, which Sony calls DualShock."

"Haptic technology is the term game manufacturers use to describe what makes game controllers vibrate in response to game activity. An Oakland, Calif. jury found Sony guilty of violating patents surrounding the technology in September 2004. The DualShock feature is currently included in the PlayStation 2 and Sony may be forced to drop or modify such functionality for the PS3."