Blackberry Workarounds Readied To Sidestep Patent Problems

Iria · Dec 1, 2005, 02:44 AM

Research In Motion Ltd. said Wednesday it is preparing workarounds to keep Blackberry services in the United States up and running, in the event a court issues an injunction against the company as a result of ongoing patent litigation.

A new chapter emerged in its dispute with NTP Inc., earlier Wednesday when a ederal judge invalidated a $450 million settlement between RIM, maker of the Blackberry email device, and the Arlington, Va., patent holding company.

The ruling was a victory for NTP, which had argued that the settlement was never finalized. As a result, U.S. District Judge James R. Spencer could next consider whether to reissue an injunction preventing RIM, based in Canada, from offering Blackberry service in the United States.

In a statement, RIM said it was prepared to argue against the injunction, but also said it was ready to make changes to its technology to avoid the alleged patent infringement.
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Read More / Source: TechWeb

EcPercy · Dec 1, 2005, 08:59 AM

I have been following this one for awhile, but one thing that strikes me as odd. NTP had their patents rejected and had to refile. Why would they be suing for patent infringement if their patent applications were rejected and are now being re-processed???

Dec 1, 2005, 02:44 AM	#1
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 89	Blackberry Workarounds Readied To Sidestep Patent Problems Research In Motion Ltd. said Wednesday it is preparing workarounds to keep Blackberry services in the United States up and running, in the event a court issues an injunction against the company as a result of ongoing patent litigation. A new chapter emerged in its dispute with NTP Inc., earlier Wednesday when a ederal judge invalidated a $450 million settlement between RIM, maker of the Blackberry email device, and the Arlington, Va., patent holding company. The ruling was a victory for NTP, which had argued that the settlement was never finalized. As a result, U.S. District Judge James R. Spencer could next consider whether to reissue an injunction preventing RIM, based in Canada, from offering Blackberry service in the United States. In a statement, RIM said it was prepared to argue against the injunction, but also said it was ready to make changes to its technology to avoid the alleged patent infringement. ___________ Read More / Source: TechWeb

Dec 1, 2005, 08:59 AM	#2
EcPercy HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Iraq Posts: 1,535 Rep Power: 0	I have been following this one for awhile, but one thing that strikes me as odd. NTP had their patents rejected and had to refile. Why would they be suing for patent infringement if their patent applications were rejected and are now being re-processed???