Xbox 360 could face US sales ban
Microsoft’s console could end up being banned in America, and only Obama may be able to save it…
In a rather disturbing turn of events, the Xbox 360 could end up in a seriously bad position if a US Judge has anything to say about it. Having already faced a sales ban in Germany, thanks to a court case that accuses Microsoft of infringing on Motorola’s intellectual property, the console could now be banned in it’s own country of origin.
US Judge, David Shaw, or the International Trade Commission, has stated that the console should no longer be imported and sold in the US due to the issues regarding the possible infringement of intellectual rights. Shaw also believes that Microsoft should post a bond of 7% on ever unsold Xbox console in the US.
"Enforcing intellectual property rights outweighs any potential economic impact on video game console buyers," Shaw stated.
This is a worrying situation for Microsoft, which, of course, is arguing against the ban, but, if the judge’s claim is backed by the ITC, the affair could end up of President Obama’s own desk, and he and his team will have the ultimate say on whether or not the decision is upheld.
The whole Motorola situation has gotten a little out of hand for Microsoft, and with the threat of a sale ban in two countries, the future of the Xbox 360 could be in jeopardy. A ban in Germany would be bad enough, but a ban in the US will all but cripple the platform.
Luckily, the 360 has pretty much reached a saturation point, and with the next iteration of the Xbox on the way, even if the worst does happen, Microsoft may still be able to come out without too much damage. And, there’s also a good chance the ban will never happen anyway. Not only is the Judge’s rant a little on the extreme side, but, in the current financial climate, and with an economy that needs a cash injection, it’s unlikely such a bad will be enforced. Stay tuned for more news as we get it.
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Ridiculous.
XBOX SHOULD BE BANNED FOR LIFE
Why on Earth should it end up on the president's desk? He should have no involvement in any judicial decision - just like our PM doesn't. Proof of Capitalism in the extreme and America being run by the corporations. If it went to the president, OF COURSE the ban wouldn't get implemented.
i would just die
Agreed absolutely ridiculous
deoends who paid more microsoft or sony if sony pays obama more it could just be banned
I know some people or fanboys here love PS3 but let's face it, if Motorola + Google could ban Xbox 360 in the US market, then the video game market will drop and this will affect not only Xbox 360 but the PS3 as well and even the PC. Let's face this together guys!
If the console market dissappears this is only a GOOD thing for PC/PS3 gamers. Im all for the ban. For too long now has PC and PS3 suffered from badly ported(from the 360), expensive games.
Microsoft were pretty stupid in the first place to use a technology that wasnt theirs. Just cause they are a big company doesnt mean they should be able to steal from another company.
I'm sorry but you're retarded. The PS3 wouldn't be half as good as it is now if it wasn't for the Xbox 360 because of competition.
But the PS3 still gets bad xbox 360 ports BECAUSE developers perfer to program on the powerPC architechure and not the cell processors because they are more difficult to program for. Its easier for them to make on 360 first, then port to ps3 and PC.
If the xbox 360 didnt exist, the developers would HAVE to program specifically for the cell processor and PS3 games would be much better optimised etc.
Hahah so they should yanks are rude online
The PS3 wouldn't even get most of those games if there wasn't an Xbox 360, also the cell would still be difficult to program for and those games wouldn't be any better.
Because it would affect the economy of course, the government gets a huge amount of tax and if money is moving around then everybody wins.
ban this company all they're out for is all MONEY nothing ever good came out of Microsoft except a bunch of crappy apps and avatar items NO other living human can see except the guy or gal who got it for the console i am not a Fanboy here this is all true statement.
there games are okay but the only one that is anywhere dissent is probably FABLE forza was okay but they can't get the AI drivers to smarten up without smashing into you if you spin out in a corner or fly off the road into a wall and reenter the track they just HIT YOU without careful driving.
If they ban Xbox 360 sales PS3 will be happy but I will be sad.