Dolby sues RIM over patents, wants BlackBerry, PlayBook bans
updated 10:40 am EDT, Wed June 15, 2011
Dolby sues RIM over BlackBerry audio compression
Dolby on Wednesday sued RIM both in Northern California and Germany for allegedly violating its audio patents. The surround audio creator claimed that the BlackBerry smartphone lineup and the BlackBerry PlayBook were all copying Dolby compression technology. "All other" companies had already paid for the licenses, Dolby said which was used in formats like ultra-dense HE AAC audio.
The company claimed that a lawsuit was its "last resort" after RIM turned down paying royalties. It threatened a permanent ban on BlackBerry devices if the two sides didn't come to a settlement or a court-mandated royalty deal.
RIM hadn't responded to the lawsuit but was expected to defend itself in court.
Audio patents are a common issue for mobile devices, particularly with AAC where licensing groups such as MPEG-LA are regularly involved. It's unclear why RIM would refuse to pay, though it might be hoping for lower rates rather than arguing it's not using Dolby processing.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2011
RIP RIM
RIM was the first company to bring corporate email for all systems (pocket PC and Palm did it if you have activesync with exchange). But for years Email and instant messaging was the ONLY FEATURE in RIM's devices, and that wasn't even very well done. Black Berry was the ONLY device with email NOT THE BEST.
After so many years relaying in ignorant IT managers that didn't knew any other technology and thinking that all they need was email, they woke up one morning and realized they need more than a simple email client in their devices, so they started to add features and never realized they need to pay for the technology they were using.
Is RIM capable of waking up from a 10 years coma? let's see.