Blackberry maker Research In Motion (RIM) now faces a serious interruption in its business, thanks to a denied stay from the US Supreme Court. RIM, which is being sued by NTP for violating its patent on wireless email delivery, could be forced to stop selling its Blackberry devices and service in the US market. In 2002, NTP sued RIM for patent infringement, winning that case in 2003. RIM is attempting to appeal that ruling, and prevent the injunction NTP is seeking.
RIM had petitioned the Supreme Court to stay the case during the appeal. But the Court denied the stay without comment. Just days earlier, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit also declined to stay the two year old case.
What's odd here is that RIM and NTP had reached a $450 million settlement earlier this year. But the settlement fell apart in June for unspecified reasons.
Now, the case will continue in Virginia's Eastern District Court. NTP is seeking an injunction against RIM, which would prevent RIM from selling its devices and services during the appeal. Such a move would be disastrous for the company, RIM has said. The US is RIM's largest market by far.
