RIM patent infringement litigation

In 2000 NTP sent notice of its wireless email patents to a number of companies and offered to license the patents to them. NTP brought a patent-infringement lawsuit against one of the companies, Research In Motion, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. This court is well-known for its strict adherence to timetables and deadlines, sometimes referred to as the "rocket docket", and is particularly efficient at trying patent cases.

The jury eventually found that the NTP patents were valid, that RIM had infringed them, that the infringement had been "willful," and that the infringement had cost NTP $33 million in damages (the greater of a reasonable royalty or lost profits). The judge,James R. Spencer, increased the damages to $53 million as a punitive measure because the infringement had been willful. He also instructed RIM to pay NTP's legal fees of $4.5 million and issued an injunction ordering RIM to cease and desist infringing the patents. This would have shut down the BlackBerry systems in the US.

RIM appealed all of the findings of the court. The injunction and other remedies were stayed pending the outcome of the appeals.

In March 2005 during the appeals process, RIM and NTP tried to negotiate a settlement of their dispute; the settlement was to be for $450 million. Negotiations broke down due to other issues. On June 10, 2005, the matter returned to the courts.

In early November 2005 the US Department of Justice filed a brief requesting that RIM's service be allowed to continue because of the large number of BlackBerry users in the US Federal Government.

In January 2006 the US Supreme Court refused to hear RIM's appeal of the holding of liability for patent infringement, and the matter was returned to a lower court. The previously granted injunction preventing all RIM sales in the US and use of the BlackBerry device might have been enforced by the presiding district court judge had the two parties not been able to reach a settlement.

On February 9, 2006, the US Department of Defense (DOD) filed a brief stating that an injunction shutting down the BlackBerry service while excluding government users was unworkable. The DOD also stated that the BlackBerry was crucial for national security given the large number of government users.

On February 9, 2006, RIM announced that it had developed software workarounds that would not infringe the NTP patents, and would implement those if the injunction was enforced.

On March 3, 2006, after a stern warning from Judge Spencer, RIM and NTP announced that they had settled their dispute. Under the terms of the settlement, RIM has agreed to pay NTP $612.5 million (USD) in a “full and final settlement of all claims.” In a statement, RIM said that “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.” The settlement amount is believed low by some analysts, because of the absence of any future royalties on the technology in question.

BlackBerry Messenger

Newer BlackBerry devices use the proprietary BlackBerry Messenger, also known as BBM, software for sending and receiving instant messages via BlackBerry PIN or barcode scan. BlackBerry messenger allows for instant messages to be sent internationally without the costs of regular text messaging. BlackBerry messenger also allows for display names, display pictures and personal messages, and deliver and read notifications. There is also the BlackBerry Alliance program of partners who work under contract with Research In Motion to create new BlackBerry applications. Typical applications include digital dictation, GPS tracking, CRM and expense management. On October 6, 2009 BlackBerry Messenger 5.0 was officially released, adding a whole new set of features, including bar code scanning to add contacts, profiles, sharing your location via GPS, and creating groups. The real advantage of BBM is that much like its internet based counter-parts, it also allows its users to connect to another user around the world.

Third-party software available for use on BlackBerry devices includes full-featured database management systems, which can be used to support customer relationship management clients and other applications that must manage large volumes of potentially complex data.

BlackBerry Internet Service

The primary alternative to using BlackBerry Enterprise Server is to use the BlackBerry Internet Service, or BIS is available in 91 countries internationally. BlackBerry Internet Service was developed primarily for the average consumer rather than for the business consumer. BlackBerry Internet Service allows POP3 and IMAP email integration for an individual personal user. BlackBerry Internet Service allows up to 10 email accounts to be accessed, including many popular email accounts such as Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo and AOL. BlackBerry Internet Service also allows for the function of the push capabilities in various other BlackBerry Applications. Various applications developed by RIM for Blackberry utilize the push capabilities of BIS, such as the Instant Messaging clients, Google Talk, ICQ, Windows Live Messenger and Yahoo Messenger. Social Networks Facebook, Myspace and Twitter's notification system is accessed through BIS, allowing for push notifications for them.

BlackBerry Enterprise Server

BlackBerry handhelds are integrated into an organization's e-mail system through a software package called BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES). Versions of BES are available for Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Domino and Novell GroupWise. Google has made a Connector for BES which makes BES available for Google Apps as well. While individual users may be able to use a wireless provider's e-mail services without having to install BES themselves, organizations with multiple users usually run BES on their own network. Some third-party companies provide hosted BES solutions. Every BlackBerry has an ID called a BlackBerry PIN, which is used to identify the device to the BES. BlackBerry now provides a free BES service called BES Express.

A close-up of a BlackBerry's distinctive layout

BES acts as an e-mail relay for corporate accounts so that users always have access to their e-mail. The software monitors the user's local Inbox, and when a new message comes in, it picks up the message and passes it to RIM's Network Operations Center (NOC). The messages are then relayed to the user's wireless provider, which in turn delivers them to the user's BlackBerry device.

This is called push e-mail, because all new e-mails, contacts, task entries, memopad entries, and calendar entries are pushed out to the BlackBerry device automatically and instantaneously (as opposed to the user synchronizing the data manually or having the device poll the server at intervals). BlackBerry also supports polling email, which is how it supports POP. Device storage also enables the mobile user to access all data off-line in areas without wireless service. When the user reconnects to wireless service, the BES sends the latest data.

An included feature in the newer models of the BlackBerry is the ability for it to quickly track your current location through trilateration without the use of GPS, thus saving battery life and time. Trilateration can be used as a quick, less battery intensive way to provide location-aware applications with the co-ordinates of the user. However, accuracy of BlackBerry trilateration is less than that of GPS due to a number of factors, including cell tower blockage by large buildings, mountains, or distance.

BES also provides handhelds with TCP/IP connectivity accessed through a component called "Mobile Data Service - Connection Service" (MDS-CS). This allows for custom application development using data streams on BlackBerry devices based on the Sun Microsystems Java ME platform.

In addition, BES provides network security, in the form of Triple DES or, more recently, AES encryption of all data (both e-mail and MDS traffic) that travels between the BlackBerry handheld and a BlackBerry Enterprise Server.

Most providers offer flat monthly pricing for unlimited data between BlackBerry units and BES. In addition to receiving e-mail, organizations can make intranets or custom internal applications with unmetered traffic.

With more recent versions of the BlackBerry platform, the MDS is no longer a requirement for wireless data access. Beginning with OS 3.8 or 4.0, BlackBerry handhelds can access the Internet (i.e. TCP/IP access) without an MDS - previously only e-mail and WAP access was possible without a BES/MDS. The BES/MDS is still required for secure e-mail, data access, and applications that require WAP from carriers that do not allow WAP access.

Blackberry Mobile Phones: Most Brilliant Business Phones

Blackberry is one of the most respected brands in the world when it comes to smartphones. It holds the second largest share of the world's smartphone market and is best known for its ability to send and receive E-mails, allowing users t o be able to access their accounts from anywhere in the world. 

Blackberry mobile phones are mainly appreciated for two things, their use for business management and the QWERTY keyboard that facilitates faster typing. Some of the newer models of Blackberry have broken away from the tradition of having QWERTY keyboards and have been equipped with either numeric keypads or touchscreens. 

Like two halves of a whole, no smartphone can be complete without an efficient operating system behind it. All Blackberry phones are equipped with the widely appreciated Blackberry OS. This operating system enables users to perform multiple tasks a the same time with no loss in efficiency. Users can use the WiFi or 3G facilities to use applications like Exchange E-mail, Calendar, Notes and Contact. Blackberry also allows third party developers to make softwares for the operating system through the API Blackberry OS also supports applications such as Novell Group Wise and Lotus Notes. 

To uphold its image of being performance oriented, all Blackberry mobile phones come with an Intel 80386 based processor. The newer models like 9700 and the Blackberry Pearl 3G have the Intel Xscale 524 Hz processor, making them the faster mobiles among all other blackberry phones

The core competency of Blackberry mobiles – On the go E-mail is made possible by a software called the – 'Blackberry Enterprise. This software helps redirect mails from the users mail account to the mobile phone. It also helps in synchronizing contacts between online servers and the mobile device. The enterprise networks and redirects emails and synchronize contacts and calendaring information between servers and the user's mobile devices.

Apart from these astounding features, Blackberry phones also come with some standard features such as – E-mail synchronization, Search Key, Blackberry Maps,, GPS and Blackberry Messenger Some other common features in all Blackberry phones are – Blackberry messenger, E-mail, GPS and Blackberry maps. 

Cheap Blackberry mobile phones deals can be found on various online shopping sites. These sites have up to date lists of all the recent blackberry mobile deals available in the market. Any interested buyers can go through these lists and compare the different mobile phone deals available to choose one which most suits them. This will also help people make an informed decision when they are thinking of purchasing the product. These deals are made available by all the latest mobile phone service providers like Vodafone, O2, Orange, Virgin, Tmobile and Three. The service providers also offer free gifts like LCD TVs, Laptops and Gaming consoles as incentives for purchasing mobile phone deals.

BlackBerry Mobile Phones with Unique Features

These days, handsets are embellished with advanced technology and high-end features. BlackBerry is one of the leading mobile companies that has released many business phones in the market. BlackBerry mobile phones become popular due to their unique QWERTY keyboard and highly sophisticated messaging features. However, apart from regular SMS and MMS messaging features, these handsets enable the users to send or receive E-mail to other suitable contacts. Almost all its handsets include document viewer solution which enables the users to read important document in formats like Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and many more. Furthermore, features like GPS navigation, BlackBerry Maps application and Security Password Protection are also embedded in most of its gadgets. That's not the end, amazing solutions such as huge storage capacity, high resolution camera, great connectivity and entertainment features are also common in its devices.

It is found that Blackberry mobile phones have been especially designed to serve the needs of business professional. Some of its latest feature rich models are Curve 8900, Storm 9500 and Tour 9630. With ultimate features and attractive looks, the Curve 8910 model is a wonderfully designed business phone that works perfectly well on BlackBerry operating system. The handset comes with easy to use QWERTY keypad and LED indicator solution. It has a 3.2 mega pixel camera with auto focus and flash. This sensational phone supports superb messaging features which include Wireless Email, SMS, MMS and Instant messaging.

The gadget has great connectivity with a Wi-Fi, EDGE and GPRS that allow the owners to access web at high speed. Forward going, the Storm 9500 is another compact shape device that comes embedded with highly efficient and useful solutions. The handset features a 3.2 inches touch screen which comes with auto rotate function. There is a built-in 3.2 mega pixel camera with video capabilities. 

One of its latest handsets is the BlackBerry Tour 9630, it is elegant looking handset that has gained popularity because of its special design and user friendly features. The gadget comes with 250 MB of Internal memory and enables the users to expand its storage space up to 8 GB by inserting MicroSD card. However, trademark messaging features of BlackBerry are present in this device. By using its SMS and MMS solution, you can easily send messages comprises of text, pictures and videos to other compatible contacts.

There is a 3.2 mega pixel camera in this phone through which the individuals can capture precious moments of their life at ease. It can be said that all BlackBerry mobile phones have been carved out for business professionals who want to have a mini computer in their palms.

Future of the Blackberry Curve 3G

Blackberry has been a well known creator in the smart phone market and was one of the first actually. Since their original debut they have created a variety of different phones which vary in features and designs. The official model number of the Curve 3G is the 9300 and it is expected to come out on September 8th and be released on the network of T-Mobile.

Specifications:

- The display is of the QVGA type like previous Blackberry models.
- GPS on the 3G network
- 2 megapixel camera without flash
- OS 6
- Easy communicating by means of Blackberry Messenger
- Multi tasking capabilities
- 5.5 hours of talk time or 29 hours of musical playback
- A variety of different accessories that are compatible
- 256 megabytes of memory featured onboard
- 2.36 inches wide and 4.29 inches long

Similar Phones and Models:

Blackberry's phones have been upgraded as time has gone on. However, they generally keep the same basic design and then just add a few things to call it something else. The Blackberry Bold is a phone that has been designed to allow more tasks to be carried out in an efficient manner while if you're looking for social networking you may be better suited by owning the Blackberry Pearl. The Torch is a model that is well established for being a touch screen model. Their phones are available on many different networks including Sprint, Verizon, and T-Mobile to name a few.

Other Features of the Blackberry:

Blackberry phones operate on their own operating system which is constantly upgraded by the creators in order to add more functionality and features. Applications are another huge selling point that makes the phone so well liked and useful in daily life. The software can be updated quite simply by going to the website or over the network. Social networking is supported along with music playback and games of course for those times when you have nothing to do.

Success of Failure of the Blackberry Curve 3G:

Whether the Curve 3G is going to be as successful as its predecessors is still yet to be determined. It is nothing special when all things can be considered. It is the same phone model that they have been developing repeatedly as time goes on. The camera is still superb as compared to many other smart phones, the screen is no size to brag about, and there have been repeated complaints about freezing or problems with the phone itself with freezing.

If the creators of this phone want to compete with the other available phones on the market they are going to need to step the game up quite a bit more or they will find themselves going down the drain. It is getting more competitive and bigger is being better, except when it comes to the price tag of course. One benefit that they do have over competitors such as the iPhone 4 is that they are offered on many different cell phone providers to allow a range of customers.