BlackBerry wins patent battle with Motorola in Britain

Toronto, (IANS) BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIM) Wednesday won its patent battle in Britain with Motorola when a court in London ruled in favour of the Canadian wireless giant based at Waterloo near here.

In his ruling, Justice Richard Arnold of the London high court said RIM didn't infringe one of Motorola's patents - pertaining to email system - in its two systems. Motorola had moved the US International Trade Commission in New York last month on the same patent which was at dispute in the London court.

The London verdict will have no bearing on the Motorola lawsuit in the US.

In the lawsuit, Motorola had complained that RIM continues to sell products using its patents longer than agreed to - from 2003 to 2007.

Co-headed by Indian-born Sanjay Jha, Motorola cited violations of its proprietary wireless technology related to WiFi access, user interface and power management by RIM.

Motorola said its agreement with RIM to use its patented technology expired in 2007, but the BlackBerry maker made no efforts to seek renewal of the agreement.

Instead, it continued to use its patents in violations of proprietary laws, Motorola said.

"These patented technologies are important to Motorola as they allow for more comprehensive connectivity, a better user experience and lower product costs," said the US telecom giant.

Motorola requested the US trade commission to ban import and sale of infringing products by RIM.

It also sought ban on marketing, advertising, demonstration and warehousing of infringing products in the US.

Jonathan Meyer, senior vice president of intellectual property law at Motorola, said last month: "In light of RIM's continued unlicensed use of Motorola's patents, RIM's use of delay tactics in our current patent litigation, and RIM's refusal to design out Motorola's proprietary technology, Motorola had no choice but to file a complaint with the ITC to halt RIM's continued infringement."

He said: "Motorola will continue to take all necessary steps to protect its R&D and intellectual property, which are critical to the company's business."

Apart from moving the US International Trade Commission in New York where all mobile court cases are currently being filed, Motorola has also filed a lawsuit in a federal court in Texas.

Based at Schaumburg on the outskirts of Chicago, Motorola employs more than 60,000 people around the world.

Its Indian-born co-CEO Sanjay Jha was the highest earner in the corporate world in 2008, with a total package of $104,445,529.