Meta, Facebook’s parent corporation, has been sued for allegedly stealing virtual reality (VR) technology from Immersion, a smaller firm.
It argues that Immersion’s virtual reality (VR) headset infringes on seven of the former’s patents.
Immersion’s haptic technology is copied in Meta Quest 2, the company’s newest VR headgear that has dominated the market. Meta’s case was filed in federal court in Waco, Texas, on Thursday.
For those unfamiliar with haptics in video games, they allow gaming controllers to feel sensations that simulate real-life forces, such as being hit in a video game. This technology will be used in metaverse gaming, according to Meta.
Immersion Corporation, a tactile feedback technology business based in the United States, is seeking unspecified damages as well as a court order prohibiting Meta from using the infringing technology.
That is, assuming Immersion is able to successfully prove the violation in court.
Immersion Corporation has a reputation for taking on some of the world’s most powerful corporations in license conflicts.
So far, Meta’s representatives have not responded to a request for comment sent outside of regular business hours. There have been no recent developments in the court case.
To read our blog on “Another shot at Zuckerberg’s metaverse vision from an Amazon hardware executive,” click here.
