The Nintendo 3DS infringes on an existing 3D display technology patent, a federal jury in New York has found.

Reuters is reporting that as a result, the company has been ordered to pay patent holder Seijiro Tomita US$30.2 million (AU$29.1 million) in compensatory damages.

Tomita, a 58 year-old inventor and long-time Sony employee, claimed that he demonstrated his technology to Nintendo in 2003.

Nintendo argued that the 3DS didn’t use key aspects of Tomita's patent, and that they held meetings with many vendors selling 3D display technology, not just him.

Tomita began proceedings against Nintendo in 2011, and the case went to trial on February 25.

Following the verdict, Nintendo was confident the result would be set aside.

“The jury's verdict will not impact Nintendo's continued sales in the United States of its highly acclaimed line of video game hardware, software and accessories, including the Nintendo 3DS,” it told Polygon.

“Nintendo has a long history of developing innovative products while respecting the intellectual property rights of others."

The 3DS was released in New Zealand on March 31, 2011.