Datel sues Microsoft over memory device lockout

A lot of folks went batshit not too long ago when Microsoft decided to lock all third party and “unauthorized” memory devices from the Xbox 360. Datel happens to be among them, having their Max Memory cards kicked aside. Oh they weren’t too happy, they’ve already said so in a previous statement, and judging by this lawsuit they’re slapping against Microsoft, they really meant it and they’re gonna do something about it.

A lot of folks went batshit not too long ago when Microsoft decided to lock all third party and “unauthorized” memory devices from the Xbox 360. Datel happens to be among them, having their Max Memory cards kicked aside. Oh they weren’t too happy, they’ve already said so in a previous statement, and judging by this lawsuit they’re slapping against Microsoft, they really meant it and they’re gonna do something about it.

Datel founder Mike Connors talks about the lockout:

For many years, Datel has brought to the public products that offer more capacity, extra functionality or other game enhancing features with the aim of offering a reasonably priced alternative to first-party accessories.

The Max Memory card plugs into the Xbox 360 and allows a user to store games, characters, and similar information. It permits a player to transport game information between Xbox systems. The Microsoft memory card does exactly the same thing—with the difference that it offers only one-quarter the memory while listing for the same retail price. Datel engineered the Max Memory card to be 100% compatible and over 50,000 Max Memory cards have been sold without a single report of harm to the Xbox console.

Howard Rice director Marty Glick, the senior attorney representing Datel, calls foul on the lockout.  “Microsoft has taken steps to render inoperable the competing Datel memory card for no visible purpose other than to have that market entirely to themselves,” he said. “We believe that with the power Microsoft enjoys in the market for Xbox accessories this conduct is unlawful.”

You can help yourselves to the legal hubbub via the Howard Rice blog found at the source below.

• Datel “disappointed” at MS for storage device lockout
• Datel now looking into workaround for Xbox 360 device lockout
  

Via Howard Rice