RIM and Motorola clash over patents

 

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By Reuters

Posted on 19 Feb 2008 at 09:22

Research In Motion and Motorola are suing each other over alleged patent infringements concerning technology used in their handsets

Motorola is suing RIM over Wi-Fi technology used in the BlackBerry 8100, 8300 and 8800 models, as well as for technology used in BlackBerry Exchange Server software.

In return, RIM alleges that Motorola is infringing on its patents and demanding "exorbitant royalties ... for patents that Motorola claims are essential to various standards for mobile wireless telecommunications and wireless computing that RIM practices."

The alleged hike in prices it attributes to the "declining fortunes" of Motorola's handset business.

It also claims that Motorola is refusing to acknowledge or pay royalties for certain patents held by RIM.

"Motorola has not yet reviewed the complaint, but based on the matter, we believe that its claims are entirely without merit and Motorola intends to vigorously defend itself," Motorola says.

None of the allegations from either company has been proven in court.

RIM recently suffered a three-hour service outage on its network, which left subscribers across the US unable to access their email.