Datel files lawsuit against Microsoft to ‘restore competition’ re: memory cards

Another Xbox 360 lawsuit? Oh, yes! Datel, which makes all sorts of video game accessories, has filed a lawsuit against Microsoft because it “has taken steps to render inoperable the competing Datel memory card for no visible purpose other than to have that market entirely to themselves.”

The lawsuit is intended to “restore competition.”

Microsoft hasn’t responded to Datel’s legal eagles.

I can think of a few ways to end this post. One is to say, well, Microsoft has the right to license accessories for its hardware, and if it chooses not to allow Datel’s stuff on there, then there you go.

(The lockout worked by disallowing memory cards above a certain size from being recognized by the Xbox 360.)

The other is to say, Datel provides a much needed service by offering memory cards of a certain size; Datel wouldn’t make them if people weren’t buying ’em.

You’ll note that you can stick any ol’ hard drive inside the PS3, so it’s not like there’s an industry-wide conspiracy against being able to add storage to your system.

Not that I’ve ever had any use for an Xbox 360 memory card.