Nintendo liable for $30.2 million in 3DS patent case damages

A federal jury has ordered Nintendo to pay $30.2 million in a patent infringement case over the 3DS.

Reuters reports the jury ruled that Nintendo had infringed on a paten for glasses-free 3D displays held by inventor and former Sony employee Seijiro Tomita.

Nintendo's lawyers had argued that the 3DS doesn't draw on key aspects of Tomita's patent. Nintendo acknowledged it had met with the inventor to discuss purchasing the technology, but said it was one of many such meetings with various potential vendors.

In a statement published on Kotaku, Nintendo seemed to suggest it would appeal the decision.

"Nintendo is confident that the result will be set aside. The jury's verdict will not impact Nintendo's continued sales in the United States of its highly acclaimed line of video game hardware, software and accessories, including the Nintendo 3DS. Nintendo has a long history of developing innovative products while respecting the intellectual property rights of others," the platform holder said.

Tomita has held his patent since 2008, but applied for it in 2003. He first challenged Nintendo on the matter in 2011.