- BlackBerry patents resurface in lawsuit targeting modern printing technologies
- Brother faces allegations of willful infringement of existing mobile innovations
- Patent Companies Seek Damages, Radical Product Redesign
Two patent companies have launched a lawsuit against Brother Industries that dates back to BlackBerry’s old mobile patents.
The complaint from Malikie Innovations and Key Patent Innovations alleges that Brother’s printers and multifunction devices use secure wireless links, data encoding methods and touchscreen interfaces originally developed for BlackBerry phones.
These four patents are now part of Malikie’s portfolio after BlackBerry sold much of its non-core intellectual property to Key Patent Innovations in 2023.
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Why this lawsuit matters for the printing industry
The plaintiffs claim that Brother continued to use the patented technology despite educational and licensing opportunities, leading to allegations of willful infringement, which could result in harsher penalties than standard damages.
The lawsuit seeks damages, enhanced penalties and a permanent injunction against Brother.
A permanent injunction could force the company to redesign its products or completely disrupt its sales – which would not only hurt Brother, but could also set a precedent for other printer manufacturers.
Patent holders are increasingly targeting embedded software and connectivity features, putting the entire printing industry on alert.
BlackBerry was once a dominant force in the smartphone market, known for its secure wireless communications and physical keyboards.
The company’s patents have outlived its hardware business, becoming valuable assets to licensing companies.
Irish companies Malikie Innovations and Key Patent Innovations acquired these patents and are now asserting them against Brother.
The lawsuit shows how intellectual property from defunct or struggling technology companies can find new life in the hands of patent assertion entities, which generate revenue by licensing patents or winning lawsuits, rather than by making products themselves.
The case is in its early stages and Brother has not yet filed a formal response. If the court finds Brother liable for a willful violation, the financial penalties could be substantial.
A permanent injunction would be even more damaging, potentially forcing Brother to suspend the sale of certain printer models.
Other printer manufacturers, including HP, Canon and Epson, may be watching this case closely.
They could face similar lawsuits if the same patents are invoked against their products.
The lawsuit raises the question of whether BlackBerry’s patents are truly innovative or simply broad enough to cover standard industry practices.
Patent licensing companies often rely on the high cost of litigation to force settlements, regardless of the merit of their claims.
Brother may choose to fight the case rather than settle the case, but legal battles of this magnitude can take years and cost millions of dollars.
Via TonerNews
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