Sat, 18 Feb 2006

BlackBerry case spotlights flaws in software review process

Those of us who have bemoaned the issuance of software patents for years now could end up owing a huge debt of gratitude to RIM, especially if they lose this case. All those corporate "crackberry" users will suddenly come face to face with the ugly reality of software and "business method" patents, and the pressure for reform could be enough to actually tip the balance in Congress.

Thumb-typers beware: The fate of your beloved BlackBerry device is at hand. In a hearing this week a federal court judge in Virginia could decide what penalties to impose on Research in Motion, the BlackBerry's maker, for violating the patents of Virginia-based NTP. Analysts expect the two companies ultimately will reach a settlement, as neither benefits from any shutdown of the BlackBerry service. But in choosing to fight the charges that BlackBerry's service violates wireless E-mail delivery patents--and failing on most of the legal points--RIM has put a rare spotlight on the problem with software patents, perhaps at its own expense.

(link) [U.S. News & World Report]

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