Although Nintendo seemingly makes enough money from the sales of Wii, DS, and shovelware licensing rights to buy anything in the known universe (especially in this economy) it seems that the one thing they can't purchase is a break from the US Patent and Trademark Office. GamePolitics is reporting that Nintendo's attempt to file a patent on the phrase "Wii Remote" was turned down by the USPOT because the word "Remote" is too ubiquitous. It is possible that Nintendo may yet get the patent, but the paperwork would need to be refiled with Nintendo agreeing to "disclaim" the word "remote" unless it is used in the phrase "Wii Remote".

If you're wondering why Nintendo hasn't taken the obvious route and just trademarked "Wiimote", that's a bit of a sticky wicket. Since 2000, Fobis Technologies, a Florida manufacturer of remote controls for children, has owned the trademark on the phrase, "Weemote". Nintendo had been negotiating with the firm to purchase that copyright, but Nintendo walked away from the discussion without explanation.

Whatever the patent ends up saying, I have a feeling it will be a long time before the phrase "Wiimote" leaves the vernacular.

[Source]

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