- BlackBerry patents resurface in lawsuit targeting modern printer technologies
- Brother faces allegations of willful infringement of older mobile innovations
- Patent firms are pushing for damages and sweeping product redesign
Two patent firms have launched a lawsuit against Brother Industries that traces back to BlackBerry’s old mobile patents.
The complaint by 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 in Malikie’s portfolio after BlackBerry sold much of its non-core IP to Key Patent Innovations in 2023.
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Why this lawsuit is important to the printing industry
The plaintiffs allege that Brother continued to use the patented technology despite prior knowledge and licensing options, leading to allegations of willful infringement, which could result in increased penalties beyond standard damages.
The lawsuit seeks monetary damages, increased penalties and a permanent ban against Brother.
A permanent injunction could force the company to redesign its products or completely disrupt 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 notice.
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 and become valuable assets for licensing companies.
Irish firms Malikie Innovations and Key Patent Innovations have acquired these patents and are now enforcing them against Brother.
The lawsuit shows how intellectual property from defunct or struggling tech companies can find new life in the hands of patent-pending entities, which generate revenue by licensing patents or winning lawsuits rather than making products themselves.
The case is still in its early stages and Brother has yet to file a formal response. If the court finds Brother liable for willful infringement, the financial penalties could be significant.
A permanent injunction would be even more damaging, potentially forcing Brother to stop selling certain printer models.
Other printer manufacturers, including HP, Canon and Epson, may be following this case closely.
They may face similar lawsuits if the same patents are asserted against their products.
The lawsuit raises questions about whether BlackBerry’s patents are truly innovative or just broad enough to cover standard industry practices.
Patent licensing firms often rely on the high costs of litigation to force settlements, regardless of the underlying merits of their claims.
Brother may choose to fight the case rather than settle, but legal battles of this scale can take years and cost millions of dollars.
Via TonerNews
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