BlackBerry Lawsuit

ntp_v. RIM
The CAFC is expected to hear oral arguments today in the patent infringement case against RIM, the maker of the BlackBerry. The district court issued an injunction against RIM and awarded over $50 million in damages to NTP. The injunction was stayed awaiting the results of the appeal.

NTP’s patents are directed toward an “electronic mail system with RF communications to mobile processors.” (e.g., U.S. Patent No. 5,436,960).

NYTimes Article (Free Subscription)

rim_blackberry_design_patent
For what it’s worth, RIM’s patent drawings are much more interesting.