Wi-Lan Sues RIM For Bluetooth Patent Infringement

Patent licensing company Wi-Lan Inc said it has filed a lawsuit against BlackBerry maker Research In Motion Ltd for infringing a patent that relates to Bluetooth technology. Ottawa-based Wi-Lan said it filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida against the BlackBerry maker.

Wi-Lan, which has licensed its intellectual property to more than 255 companies worldwide, alleged that RIM infringed its U.S. Patent No. 6,260,168 related to Bluetooth technologies.

Wi-Lan has launched a string of patent lawsuits, including one last week against Apple Inc, HTC Corp and Sierra Wireless Inc’s U.S. unit over LTE mobile technology. In its filing, Wi-Lan alleges that RIM’s PlayBook tablet and a wide range of its smartphones, including the Bold, Torch, Pearl and Storm, utilise technology that infringes on its patent. “RIM will vigorously defend itself against patent infringement,” a spokeswoman for RIM said.

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Wi-Lan is seeking an unspecified amount in damages and preliminary and permanent injunctions to block RIM from infringing its patent.

Wi-Lan also said that the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) affirmed a lower court’s dismissal of a patent infringement lawsuit in March against LG Electronics Inc. The company accused LG of infringing a patent for V-chip technology, which lets parents block television content they consider inappropriate. “Wi-Lan is surprised and disappointed by this decision. Wi-Lan is reviewing its options with counsel,” the company said.