Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

RIM Rejects More Patent Infringement Allegations

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the copycat dept.

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. "

13 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. Well, I knowing first hand.. by LeddRokkenstud · · Score: 5, Interesting

    As an employee of RIM, knowing about this first hand is kind of scary. I work as the manager of material processing, and I'm actually afraid of the outcome. The whole company is frustrated/fearful of this whole situation, and we just want to keep our jobs. I don't think the suits will stop.

    1. Re:Well, I knowing first hand.. by ZachPruckowski · · Score: 5, Funny

      The whole company is frustrated/fearful of this whole situation, and we just want to keep our jobs

      Well, I sure hope you all don't lose your RIM jobs.

    2. Re:Well, I knowing first hand.. by ShieldW0lf · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Cut your losses. Take the blackberry service out of the US. Instantly. Leave every single blackberry owner, including the entire government, hanging out to dry. Use RIM patents to prevent anyone else from servicing them, ensure that where this is concerned, they are well, truly and permanently fucked as a consequence of their screwed up society. Refuse to penny up a dime. That's what should have been done in the first place. The US is not a suitable place to do business. On the contrary, to do business with the US is to fund the most aggressive nation in the world and contribute to global unrest. Just don't do it.

      --
      -1 Uncomfortable Truth
    3. Re:Well, I knowing first hand.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

      You mean those dictators that the U.S. set up and armed?

  5. 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.
  6. Those who can, do. by Opportunist · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Those who can't, sue.

    --
    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  7. 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.

    --

    --
    Don't like it? Respond with words, not karma.
  8. Re:Coincidence? by frdmfghtr · · Score: 4, Interesting

    No, what I find interesting is this:

    NTP owns a stake in Visto, Bloomberg News reported.

    I can't place it, but something just doesn't seem right...why does the idea of NTP using RIM's money to go after RIM again come to mind?

    --
    Government's idea of a balanced budget: take money from the right pocket to balance...oh who am I kidding?