Nintendo Secures €7 million victory in 15-year Wii controller patent battle

Nintendo scored a massive win against Nacon (once BigBen Interactive), nabbing just under €7 million in damages, interest, and fees for Wii Remote patent infringement. The Mannheim Regional Court in Germany wrapped it up in October 2025 after a saga kicking off in 2010. Back in June 2010, Nintendo sued over Nacon’s knockoff Wii controllers ripping off European Patent EP1854518—think the Remote’s funky ergonomic shape, sensor bar-tracking camera, and acceleration tech. Mannheim court slapped an infringement finding in 2011, backed by Karlsruhe Higher Regional Court in 2017, the European Patent Office, and Germany’s top court in 2018. Judges hit Nacon with over €4 million base damages, plus hefty interest—5% above base rate from 2018—that ballooned the total by nearly €3 million thanks to Nacon’s stall tactics like ditching court experts. Court figured Nintendo would’ve snagged every single sale, no deductions for rival knockoffs since the patent blocked clean alternatives. Nacon’s already appealed to Karlsruhe Higher Regional Court, so the drama might drag on. Nintendo can chase the cash now but might post bond if appeals trim it down. his flex shows Nintendo’s iron grip on old-school Wii tech from 2006, scaring off third-party peripheral hustlers. Rare full-throttle damages in Germany underline the price of patent pokes.

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