Nintendo is facing legal action from an American technology company over allegedly violating patents with its Wii videogame system.

Hillcrest Laboratories has filed a complaint against Nintendo with the US International Trade Commission, which has the power to bar products from the US if they are made with infringed technology, alleging that the Wii’s motion-sensing controller violates three Hillcrest patents related to the technology.

The complaint alleges the Wii also infringes a fourth Hillcrest patent for graphical interfaces that are displayed on television screens.

The Wii has become the world's best-selling game console, partly because of a motion-sensing controller that allows players to engage in sword battles, swing virtual tennis rackets and other activities by swinging a hand-held remote control in the air.

Hillcrest, which is based in Rockville, Maryland, filed a similar lawsuit in the US District Court in Maryland.

Hillcrest created motion-detecting technology that lets users select items on a television screen by waving a handheld device.

“Leading consumer electronics companies, not all of whom have been disclosed publicly, have already licensed Hillcrest’s technology for use in their products,” Hillcrest said in a statement.

“While Hillcrest has a great deal of respect for Nintendo and the Wii, Hillcrest believes that Nintendo is in clear violation of its patents and has taken this action to protect its intellectual property rights,” it added.

Nintendo was not immediately available for comment.

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