RIM Gets Hit Hard in NTP Patent Case - Again

[Mike Temporale]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/01/23/74704_HNcourtrim_1.html?source=rss&url=http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/01/23/74704_HNcourtrim_1.html' target='_blank'>http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/01/23/74704_HNcourtrim_1.html?source=rss&url=http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/01/23/74704_HNcourtrim_1.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"The U.S. Supreme Court won't review the patent infringement dispute between Research in Motion Ltd. and NTP Inc., closing down one of the BlackBerry mobile device vendor's avenues against NTP's suit, RIM said in a statement Monday. NTP is suing RIM for alleged infringement of patents covering the operation of a wireless e-mail service. An injunction against RIM in the case could force the company to shut down the BlackBerry service or find a technical work-around to avoid the contested technology. The companies last year reached a settlement in the case, but that deal fell apart."</i><br /><br />Well, it wouldn't be right if a month went by without some news from RIM and NTP hitting the streets. In the latest round, RIM has been shutdown by the US Supreme Court. NTP has said they are working on a new <i>"refined injunction"</i> against RIM that would allow government and emergency workers to continue to use their devices. If ever there was a good time for Microsoft's Push Email solution to hit the streets, now would be it. Come on carriers, where's our MSFP?

[Kris Kumar]

MSFP? I am happy I am not waiting for the MSFP. Our company uses BlackBerry enterprise server and if BB was to shut down, then maybe they will allow the employees to access the Exchange server. I am sure that won't happen.

I am waiting for the BlackBerry Connect, where is the client that BlackBerry was supposed to put out? They have been working on it longer than Microsoft has been on the MSFP.

[dstrauss]

You won't see BB Connect if the injunction goes through - in fact, it is one of the easiest parts fo the puzzle for the injunction, as it doesn't exist for government users now. More likely, NPT will just extort 10 figures from RIM and life will continue as we know it. I can't beleive all those crackberry addicts standing for their pusher being shut down.

[Jerry Raia]

This is going to go on for a while. RIM is still appealing to the patent office and that office is already found problems with 4 of the 5 patents. Even after that any decision can be appealed. This is separate from the other court issues. I wouldn't loose any sleep over this.