Digital Journal — The battle has been going on so long that few people thought it would ever end. But finally, Research in Motion (RIM) has settled with NTP.
The deal between the makers of the popular Blackberry and NTP, the company who says it owns the right to a patent RIM has been using, puts an end to a long-standing war that threatened to kill the service in the United States.
A press release issued by RIM says it paid NTP $612.5-million (US) to settle the ongoing patent war. It also says the court has dismissed the case and eliminated the need for any further court proceedings. The deal accounts for money already escrowed by RIM to date, and includes a fully-paid license going forward.
“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 press release reads. “NTP grants RIM an unfettered right to continue its business including its BlackBerry related business”
Now, RIM products and services can be sold free and clear of any claim by NTP.
