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I’m Faith Lapidus with the VOA Special English Economics
Report.
Millions of people hold the world in their hand. Small
wireless devices let them use e-mail, search the Internet and get the
latest news. But lately the news has worried many users of the popular
BlackBerry devices from the Canadian company Research in Motion. A small
company in Virginia has asked a court to shut down most BlackBerry service
in the United States.
Network Technology Partners does not make or sell products. N.T.P. is a
patent- holding company. And it says Research in Motion is using
technology protected by patents held by N.T.P.
Research in Motion says BlackBerry was invented independently of the
patents. And the United States Patent and Trademark Office has rejected
all five in dispute, though its decision was not final.
But in 2002, a federal jury in Virginia sided with Network
Technology Partners. The jury ordered Research in Motion to pay N.T.P.
millions of dollars. In 2003,Research in Motion lost an appeal. A court
gave an order that would stop the company from selling many of its
products in the United States.
The case continues. Last month the United States Supreme Court refused
to get involved. A judge called a hearing for February 24 on the
possibility of suspending BlackBerry service.
Many government agencies that use the devices would not be included.
And other users might not have to worry either.
On Thursday, Research in Motion announced it has developed and tested
"software workaround designs" for all its BlackBerry handsets. It says
these workarounds will permit service to
continue should the court shut down the existing system.
Jim Balsillie, the chairman and co-chief executive officer, described
the action as an attempt to balance N.T.P.'s threats. He says his company
remains willing to enter into a settlement. He says N.T.P. risks losing
all future payments if the workaround is put into effect.
Research in Motion said it will put the software on a Website at a
later date. The company in Waterloo, Ontario, says it has more than four
million users worldwide.
The case has led a number of technology companies to call for new laws
to limit lawsuits like this one. But supporters of current patent laws say
these are the only way for small patent holders to enforce their rights.
This VOA Special English Economics Report was written by Mario Ritter.
Read and listen to our reports at voaspecialenglish.com. I'm Faith
Lapidus.
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