Blackberry maker asserts wireless e-mail patent rights

Research In Motion Limited (RIM), maker of the Blackberry personal digital assistant (PDA), has sued rival Good Technology for alleged infringement of four patents. Last month, Good approached a court asking it to declare one of RIM’s patent invalid or to declare that Good is not infringing it.20 Jun 2002

In early June, Good announced its “always up-to-date, cradleless system for wirelessly connecting mobile workers with valuable enterprise e-mail and data,” called GoodLink. The GoodLink application runs on a Blackberry PDA, although Good plans to launch its own hardware later this year. Apparent pre-empting a RIM lawsuit, Good sought judicial support.

However, RIM’s lawsuit, filed this week, alleges that Good’s wireless products infringe four RIM patents which cover methods of remote synching of data, loading software applications, wireless transmission of data and a design of a mobile device that is “optimised for use with thumbs.”

RIM wants the court to block sales of Good’s products and services in addition to monetary damages.