Parties fail to reach early agreement

Software company Basis International has filed a lawsuit against Research In Motion, accusing the latter company of trademark infringement. The dispute centers around the term "BBX", which RIM uses as a label for its latest mobile operating system. Basis claims it has been using the same term for software that runs on desktop platforms, such as Windows and Mac OS, and products that are used by developers who create apps for iOS and Android.

"Basis built the BBX brand over the course of a quarter of a century to become synonymous with the term 'operating system independent,'" Basis CEO Nico Spence argues. "RIM's unilateral seizure of that brand to use as a name for their new BlackBerry operating system is destroying that association."

Basis initially threatened RIM in October, demanding the term be disassociated with the BlackBerry operating system. RIM has defended its use of the term, however, suggesting it is used in a distinctly separate product category.

It remains unclear if both companies will settle the dispute ahead of further legal proceedings. [via Reuters]

By Electronista Staff