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Print 9 comment(s) - last by mikecel79.. on Feb 10 at 11:25 AM
If NTP wins, RIM patches, service goes on as usual

Despite the ongoing patent infringement case against Research in Motion (RIM) by NTP, today, RIM announced that regardless of the case's outcome, it will strive to have its services stay active for its customers.

According to RIM, an update has been prepared for the communication infrastructure that the BlackBerrys use to communicate to each other and to PCs. Called Multi-Mode Edition, the update from RIM will change the underlying code for the BlackBerry back-end software. According to RIM:
  • Users will not see any changes in the way they use the BlackBerry device.
  • Service providers and system administrators will not see any changes in BlackBerry service or administration.
  • Application developers will not be required to change existing Java applications.
RIM says the courts have not made a decision on an injunction yet but it says that customers and service providers need not worry.

More here on RIM's website.

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Correct me if I am wrong
By nomagic on 2/9/2006 1:12:21 PM , Rating: 2
It seems like RIM is not planning on paying royalty any time soon. At most, RIM will just pay a large sum of infringement fee. I guess this is a good thing in the long run.




RE: Correct me if I am wrong
By Samus on 2/9/2006 1:43:10 PM , Rating: 2
It appears they are modifying their code so it lacks NTP-patented technology.

Smart move, now they're only responsible for the damages between 2001 and now. Appearantly they plan on losing and will pay royalties within that time frame.

Funny thing is this could have all been settles for 5 million dollars back in 2001.


By Brainonska511 on 2/9/2006 2:54:01 PM , Rating: 2
But back in 2001, 5 million was a lot of money to Blackberry.


Maybe I don't get it...
By mikecel79 on 2/9/2006 5:04:01 PM , Rating: 2
If this software is just as good as what is currently out then why wait until the case goes to trial on the 24th? Why not release it now? Why wait until an injuction is imposed? What is different about it? Why not give us anything except vague details about it? Why not give us administrators the documentation NOW so I can see what will need to be done?

I run a BES (Blackberry Enterprise Server) with over 150 BBs connected to it. From what we have gotten from our BB rep is that new software will be need to be loaded onto the BES and also all the handhelds! Also it does not look like there is any way to automate the upgrade of the handhelds either. Touching every single BB handheld, some of which are in VPs hands, is NOT something I am looking forward to doing just to keep our BBs working...




RE: Maybe I don't get it...
By jkresh on 2/9/2006 7:27:39 PM , Rating: 2
There are probably several reasons why they are waiting. 1 even if they think it is just as good and wont cause conflicts, they wont know until its updated and the update will probably be disruptive at least for a time. 2 even if it was a perfect replacement using it would be admiting that they infringed (otherwise why remove the code) and would mean they would have to pay NTP something.


RE: Maybe I don't get it...
By mikecel79 on 2/10/2006 11:25:13 AM , Rating: 2
But they are admitting it by loading the new software on all new handhelds from now on.

I'm not asking for the software, give me the documentation before hand. If an injuction is imposed 30 days is not much time to read through all the documentation and deploy to all handhelds. At least if I have the documentation I can come up with a plan ahead of time. RIM is going about this all the wrong way and they are pissing off many of their enterprise customers. The decision at my company has already been made to not upgrade to any future versions of their software because of the way they are handling this. We will be evaluating other solutions instead.


.
By hans007 on 2/9/2006 3:16:55 PM , Rating: 3
it is a smart plan. they are not PLANNING on losing, but they have to have a contingency.

honestly i dont think they will lose, the USPTO is about to invalidate NTPs patents.




ntp?
By Missing Ghost on 2/9/2006 1:43:42 PM , Rating: 2
network time protocol




What's the use of a patent?
By Lifted on 2/9/2006 8:11:59 PM , Rating: 2
It seems that as long as file a patent and make it as convoluted as possible, the USPTO will just issue you the patent so they don't have to waste too much time and energy deciding whether it's actually legitimate or not. I would be rather pissed if I had submitted a patent, then spent millions of dollars defending the patent, only to have a court decide "well, you shouldn't have been issued the patent in the first place."

Sounds like the only ones who make out from the USPTO being so inept are the lawyers, as usual.




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