Patent firm Wi-LAN sues BlackBerry-maker RIM

Patent licensing company Wi-LAN Inc said on Tuesday it has filed a lawsuit against BlackBerry maker Research In Motion Ltd for infringing on a patent that relates to Bluetooth technology.

The company said it filed in the US 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 US 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 Corpand Sierra Wireless Inc's US unit over LTE mobile technology.

More from News Analysis

[caption id="attachment_553621" align="alignleft" width="380"] Representational Image. Reuters[/caption]

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.

A spokeswoman for RIM was not immediately able to comment.

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

Reuters