Kyoto, Japan-based Nintendo is still under the scrutiny of the U.S. International Trade Commission in the wake of a patent infringement lawsuit filed by Maryland-based Hillcrest Laboratories.

Court filings obtained by Edge reveal that in mid-December, a U.S. District Court Judge ordered that depositions be taken from eight witnesses of Nintendo and Nintendo of America.

The depositions are to take place between the dates of January 13 and February 6 this year at the U.S. Consulate General at Osaka-Kobe, Japan. Testimony will be videotaped and transcribed.

Hillcrest filed suit against Nintendo in August 2008, claiming that the Nintendo Wii's motion-sensing technology infringes on existing Hillcrest patents. The plaintiff seeks to block imports of the Wii and Wii Remotes into the U.S.

The ITC launched an investigation into Nintendo in September.

Hillcrest's complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, a law that was established to prevent foreign imports from infringing upon American patents.

Several Japanese and non-Japanese citizens will attend the depositions on behalf of both Nintendo and Hillcrest.

No regulatory body has made a final decision on Wii imports as of yet.