A has been filed in the against alleging infringement of a patent detailing a device concept.

Hillcrest Laboratories Inc is attempting to block imports of Nintendo's console as well as seeking money for the apparently preexisting patent. Hillcrest own four patents, three of which pertain to motion control technology, but it isn't clear which one Nintendo may have infringed.

"While Hillcrest Labs has a great deal of respect for Nintendo and the Wii, Hillcrest Labs believes that Nintendo is in clear violation of its patents and has taken this to protect its intellectual property rights,'' Hillcrest said in a statement.

The company has previously licenced the technology to companies such as Logitech.

Expect a decision on the import blocking within 15 months time, during which the lawsuit will probably be put on hold.

By Jason Cartwright