The Cell processor was modeled after the mainframe architecture IBM developed in the 70's. The Cell processor is basically a mainframe computer at a higher tact and on one chip instead of several chips on one motherboard (and some graphics acceleration added for good measure).
And, the Cell was developed partly by IBM. Now, even if the firm filing the lawsuit has a patent, IBM has evidence of prior art; they were there first.
Still, Sony is in danger of the "
Eolas effect". Just like Eolas managed to patent "plugins" when everyone else had been using plugins for years,
and went on to win a lawsuit against Microsoft for using their "patented plugin technology" in Internet Explorer (prior art or not), the people suing Sony have a good shot at achieving an out of court settlement at least.
It's a weird world. I'm just waiting for someone to sue McDonalds for infringing someone else's "minced cow inna bun" patent...
*goes to patent hamburgers*
EDIT: Wait. I just remembered Sony got their ass handed to them by Immersion, over the rumble patent, and
that was a wild one, with "no chance of succeeding"...
Oh well. Bye-bye Sony Electronic Entertainment department. It's been fun knowing you...