Research In Motion Limited (RIM), maker of the BlackBerry mobile device, has settled a lawsuit against it for $612.5 million, the company said Friday.
RIM and NTP, a small Virginia-based firm, Friday said that they have signed a definitive licensing and settlement agreement, and the litigation against RIM has been dismissed.
Real estate agents are among the most dedicated users of BlackBerries, and have been concerned because the legal actions could have shut down the approximately 4 million BlackBerries used nationally. The wireless devices send and receive e-mail and have small keyboards that replicate that of a PC.
The lawsuit filed by NTP against RIM had alleged that RIM’s BlackBerry service infringed upon its patents.
“All terms of the agreement have been finalized and the litigation against RIM has been dismissed by a court order this afternoon. The agreement eliminates the need for any further court proceedings or decisions relating to damages or injunctive relief,” said a statement on RIM’s Web site.
RIM has paid NTP $612.5 million in full and final settlement of all claims against it, as well as for a perpetual, fully paid up license going forward, the company said. This amount includes money already escrowed by RIM to date, according to the company.
The licensing and settlement agreement relates to all patents owned and controlled by NTP and covers all of RIM’s products, services and technologies, the company said. NTP grants RIM an unfettered right to continue its business, including its BlackBerry-related business, RIM said.
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