Research in Motion - Rim
Case Analysis 2 - Research in Motion - RIM
1. What were some of the challenges that RIM faced to protect its intellectual property, and how did RIM handle those challenges?
Research In Motion (RIM), a global leader in wireless innovation, revolutionized the mobile industry with the introduction of the BlackBerry® solution in 1999. There are multiple examples of the challenges RIM faced to protect its Intellectual Property as well as how those challenges were handled. One such example is RIM vs Glenayre Technologies, Inc. This claim, a response to an earlier suit brought forth by Glenayre, insisted that Glenayre blatantly imitated BlackBerry technology and marketing. Later in 2001, Glenayre's initial 1999 patent suit against RIM was dismissed. In early 2002 RIM and Glenayre agreed to drop their remaining lawsuits and work together to develop a wireless e-mail device that would incorporate Glenayre's messaging software. During this same time, RIM also obtained a U.S. patent called the BlackBerry Single Mailbox Integration patent, which covered technology that gave users the ability to have a single e-mail address on both wireless and desktop systems (http://www.answers.com/topic/research-in-motion-ltd-usa). The patent applied to the system and method that RIM pioneered for redirecting information between a host computer system and a mobile communications device. Another instance in which RIM was forced to protect its Intellectual Property is RIM vs. Handspring (makers of the Palm Treo). On September 16, 2002, Research in Motion was awarded a patent pertaining to keyboard design on hand-held e-mail devices. Upon receiving the patent, it proceeded to sue Handspring over its Treo device. Handspring eventually agreed to license RIM's patent and avoid further litigation in November of the same year. In recent matters, Research in Motion has acknowledged that it records all employee conversations in the interest of maintaining their intellectual
1. What were some of the challenges that RIM faced to protect its intellectual property, and how did RIM handle those challenges?
Research In Motion (RIM), a global leader in wireless innovation, revolutionized the mobile industry with the introduction of the BlackBerry® solution in 1999. There are multiple examples of the challenges RIM faced to protect its Intellectual Property as well as how those challenges were handled. One such example is RIM vs Glenayre Technologies, Inc. This claim, a response to an earlier suit brought forth by Glenayre, insisted that Glenayre blatantly imitated BlackBerry technology and marketing. Later in 2001, Glenayre's initial 1999 patent suit against RIM was dismissed. In early 2002 RIM and Glenayre agreed to drop their remaining lawsuits and work together to develop a wireless e-mail device that would incorporate Glenayre's messaging software. During this same time, RIM also obtained a U.S. patent called the BlackBerry Single Mailbox Integration patent, which covered technology that gave users the ability to have a single e-mail address on both wireless and desktop systems (http://www.answers.com/topic/research-in-motion-ltd-usa). The patent applied to the system and method that RIM pioneered for redirecting information between a host computer system and a mobile communications device. Another instance in which RIM was forced to protect its Intellectual Property is RIM vs. Handspring (makers of the Palm Treo). On September 16, 2002, Research in Motion was awarded a patent pertaining to keyboard design on hand-held e-mail devices. Upon receiving the patent, it proceeded to sue Handspring over its Treo device. Handspring eventually agreed to license RIM's patent and avoid further litigation in November of the same year. In recent matters, Research in Motion has acknowledged that it records all employee conversations in the interest of maintaining their intellectual