…Or PS3 Deathwatch update #632 – wherever we’re up to currently. Whatever the case it seems that the console’s famed Cell Processor might have infringed another company’s copyright and it’s all just turned rather nasty!

We actually gave you a heads-up on this story ages ago, but the lawsuit has only been filed in the last few days and the settlement being sought – the “impounding and destruction” of Sony’s entire stockpile of Cell Processor chips – has only just come to light.

The company in question is Parallel Processing, who claim to have owned the patent on a computational process called “synchronised parallel processing with shared memory” since 1991. As it turns out this process is markedly similar to the way the PS3’s famed CPU works, thus they’re seeking satisfaction on the grounds that Sony’s alleged infringement has caused “irreparable harm and monetary damage”.

On top of the obliteration of all Cell Processor chips not currently residing inside PS3s that people actually own – so that’ll be most of the stock, then – Parallel Processing is also seeking damages, reimbursement of their doubtless substantial legal fees, interest and a tearful apology. Okay maybe not the last one.

We can’t see any of it happening, to be honest – at least not on the draconian scale described above. Then again it’s not the first time the PS3 has been in the dock or has had to fork out for alleged transgressions – anyone remember the legal tussles over the rumble functionality in the Sixaxis pad?