RIM Announces Workaround in NTP Case

Justin Michael writes "RIM announces they have a software solution in the event that the courts rules in favor of NTP. The fix is called their multi-mode edition. Customers are being told that they do not need to take action yet, but would need to install the multi-mode edition on both servers and handhelds." A Reuters article also covers the announcement. From that article: "The company said it will soon begin shipping handsets with the software update in a dormant mode. It will make the update available at www.blackberry.com/workaround at a later, but as yet unspecified, date. RIM said the changes would require software updates, but the new system will deliver the same functions and performance."

Comments

Watch Out RIM:

[slashbob22]

Just when you thought you were safe, another patent was approved:

Patent 6666666:
Title: WEW (Wireless Email Workaround)

Abstract: A method of using wireless email in another fashion different than the original infringing one.

What is claimed:
1. Send Email Differently
2. The method of claim (1) used to "workaround" another method.

This one is so generic it must be airtight.

Fixed that too

[digitaldc]

Don't worry, we are already working on a workaround to the workaround, it is tenatively called 'Circle Work'

Same functions and performance?

[Ctrl-Z]

RIM said the changes would require software updates, but the new system will deliver the same functions and performance.

If that's the case, why haven't they switched already?

Re:Same functions and performance?

[Lendrick]

Two possibilities come to mind:

1. Don't mess with a working system if you don't have to. There may be bugs in the new one, and why expose your users to that unless it's absolutely necessary?
2. Maybe the new process requires more computing power on the server end.

Damn.

[mrchaotica]

I was really hoping that this patent dispute would destroy the company -- not because I don't like RIM, but because it'll take something that drastic to get the government's head out of it's ass and notice how fucked up our patent situation is.

Sigh -- I guess we'll just continue on riding the status quo to oblivion, then...

Re:Damn.

[kfg]

The problem being that the government has had its head up its ass for so long that it has come to believe that's where it belongs and defends the position.

KFG

Can't wait

[hoomank]

Until RIM crushes those patent trolls. Without giving them a dime.

Re:maybe i'm wrong?

[Anonymous Coward]

They've been claiming for awhile that they had a work-around. I think the news now is that they claim to have tested the work-around

Here's another article

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000082&si d=a63OizUWrfYI&refer=canada

Re:Too Late?

[Guspaz]

RIM's other markets were never at risk. RIM isn't even based in the US anyhow. They're based in Waterloo, Canada, IIRC. And we don't seem to have as broken a patent system as the US does.

The "article" seems to indicate that the changes are to the backend only, and absolutely nothing will change for the user. Everything is identical in the GUI and usage. So this should be a kick in the pants for NTP. NTP now has two options:

1) Settle for a paltry amount, far less than what they could have accepted before.
2) Press forward to get an injunction, and have the case die when RIM uses the workaround, without NTP seeing a dime.

All of NTP's patents (All of them now) have now been invalidated (at least preliminarily), and even if NTP succeeds in getting an injunction, those invalid patents won't even apply anymore. NTP doesn't exactly have a strong case anymore, and they have to know it.

Of course, NTP didn't stop when the US government stepped in to warn that an injunction would compromise the nation's security, so I'm pretty sure they fall into the evil-but-stupid category that is too both too evil to abandon the case, and too stupid to realize it is a lost cause.

Why I no longer side with RIM

[paladinwannabe2]

The main reason RIM lost the original case is because they created false evidence to try to demonstrate prior art. However, they were caught trying to pull this off in the courtroom. Nothing says "I'm breaking the law and trying to get away with it" like perjury.