Research In Motion Limited (NASDAQ:RIMM) (TSE:RIM) has been hit with another lawsuit. This time, it’s from WiLan Incorporation (TSE:WIN), and they’re claiming that Research In Motion Limited (NASDAQ:RIMM) (TSE:RIM) is violating one of their Bluetooth technology patents.
Research In Motion Limited (NASDAQ:RIMM) (TSE:RIM) isn’t the first company that’s been sued by WiLan Incorporation (TSE:WIN) over Bluetooth patents. The company is notorious for suing companies in order to get them to license their patents. WiLan Incorporation (TSE:WIN) has been in business for twenty years and they’ve dubbed themselves the “leading technology innovation and licensing company.” Right now, they license their patents to over 260 brands throughout the world. Many of their patents can be found in products like smartphones with 3G or 4G capabilities, Wi-Fi laptops, and Wi-Fi routers.
Despite WiLan Incorporation (TSE:WIN)’s large presence in the Wi-Fi market, they find Bluetooth more lucrative, as it’s become a popular way to target vendors. In fact, just two years ago, WiLan Incorporation (TSE:WIN) filed litigations against eighteen major tech companies, including Apple, Samsung, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Sony, Lenovo, and more. Their claim was that these companies violated patents regarding CDMA, LTE, Wi-Fi, and HSPA.
Although it’s not clear exactly how much compensation WiLan Incorporation (TSE:WIN) wants from Research In Motion Limited (TSE:RIM), they claim the Canadian tech company used their patents on a variety of products, which include a few handsets and the Blackberry Playbook.
Wi-Lan Incorporation (TSE:WIN) and Research In Motion Limited (NASDAQ:RIMM) (TSE:RIM) are currently in another litigation over messaging and patent technologies. That case will officially start in the middle of 2013.
Clarus Strategies analyst Sean Peasgood thinks that Wi-Lan Incorporation (TSE:WIN) wants to make a settlement on this current lawsuit before the first one begins trial. He stated, ““We believe that investors should be buying the stock ahead of new licensing deals, which should fuel strong growth in 2013. The new case… is an attempt to show Research In Motion Limited (NASDAQ:RIMM) (TSE:RIM) that the company needs to take a license to Wi-LAN Incorporation (TSE:WIN)’s whole portfolio, rather than just a few patents involved in the case. Launching additional litigation has increased pressure on defendants in the past and helped to advance negotiation discussions. Wi-LAN Incorporation (TSE:WIN) has always negotiated settlements ahead of trial, we expect this trend to continue.”
Research In Motion Limited (NASDAQ:RIMM) (TSE:RIM) has yet to make an official comment on the pending lawsuit.
