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RIM Rejects More Patent Infringement Allegations

SilentOne writes "Waterloo based Research In Motion is facing new allegations of patent violation. Visto Corp. of Redwood Shores, Calif., said Monday that it had won an infringement case against Seven Networks, also of California, and is now targeting RIM for infringing four patents, including three involved in the Seven action. "Our case against RIM is based on similar technology, law and patents as the case we have just won," Visto said in a statement. "

8 of 127 comments (clear)

  1. More lawsuits... by Beuno · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Anyone else have the feeling the focus is more and more on legal battles instead of tech innovation?

    1. Re:More lawsuits... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

      This seems to have been the trend for a while. It's less and less about competition, more and more about meta-competition.

      Rather than produce the best product at the lowest cost, you buy the legislation to give you a competitive advantage. Rather than create something new, you file some patents and claim other people's work as your own.

      It's difficult to find a solution; the interwoven laws and old-buddy networks are so deeply entrenched that it'll take some major overhaul to set things straight. I really hope that the pseudocapitalists who strap on our shackles notice the chains hanging from their own ankles, as well.

  2. WTF?! by PygmySurfer · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "Under the law, which protects consumers from products that contain infringing technology, RIM should not be able to sell the BlackBerry system."

    Since when do patents do ANYTHING to protect consumers from anything?

  3. This is what many knew would happen by DarkFencer · · Score: 4, Insightful

    This is why RIM fought so hard against NTP. They could have settled early on for far less then the recent settlement + legal fees. They didn't want to give in early (or at all if possible) so they didn't end up as a target for a dozen more places like NTP.

  4. terrorists! by Feyr · · Score: 5, Insightful

    that's why there shall be no negotiation with terrorists! as soon as you cave in to their demands they'll just make more of them!

    1. Re:terrorists! by ScrewMaster · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Really, though, in this case the comparison to terrorism is weak. I'd say it's more like dealing with a school of really hungry piranha. Or maybe a programmed death machine ... to quote Reese when he was describing a Terminator to Sarah Connor:

      Listen. Understand. That Terminator is out there. It can't be reasoned with, it can't be bargained with ... it doesn't feel pity or remorse or fear ... and it absolutely will not stop. Ever. Until you are dead.

      That's kinda how I look at these patent-wielding law firms. As long as you have the money to pay prote^H^H^H^H^Hlicense fees they absolutely will not stop. Ever.

      --
      The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
  5. Those who can, do. by Opportunist · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Those who can't, sue.

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    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  6. Those who can, do. Those who can't... by FFFish · · Score: 4, Insightful

    ...sue the asses off those who do.

    What a wonderful world we'll live in when it becomes so financially risky to try anything new, out of fear of some obscure patent-camping leech stealing the investment and work it took to make that new thing.

    We need patent reform: use your patent, or lose your patent.

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