If Apple can prevent another computer maker from selling unauthorized Mac OS X machines, then Microsoft should be able to stop another accessory vendor from selling unauthorized Xbox 360 plugins loaded with video-game cheats.
That's one of the arguments the Redmond company makes in a new motion to dismiss an antitrust lawsuit filed in November by Datel Design & Development, a maker of attachable memory units and game controllers for the Microsoft console.
Whether or not you buy Microsoft's contention, it's a pretty fascinating twist in a case that could ultimately determine the rules of competition in the business of video game consoles, games and accessories.
Quick background: Datel argues that Microsoft is monopolizing the market for "Multiplayer Online Dedicated Gaming Systems," and using that position to unfairly control the related market for video-game accessories -- in this case by putting up technological barriers to Datel memory units and controllers that compete with Microsoft's own Xbox 360 accessories.
Full Story: techflash.com
View the full article
