Intellectual Property Law

It's been a busy week for hot-off-the-presses IP happenings!  We've been diligent about keeping you posted on the BlackBerry litigation, and here's the latest:  in news heard with relief by those addicted to their "crackberries," BlackBerry maker Research in Motion and NTP announced a settlement today of their long-simmering patent dispute.  According to IP Law 360, counsel for NTP confirmed that RIM will pay NTP $612.5 million as part of the deal.  While the licensing agreement is less than the rumored $1 billion amount some were expecting, it is still more than last year's $450 million settlement  that was later thrown out.  Last week's highly anticipated hearing on injunctive relief ended without a decision, but it suggested that time was running out for BlackBerry to make a deal to avoid a shutdown, and today's settlement news is not a huge surprise. 

Today's Blogger:  Nan Joesten