Motorola and RIM sue each other over patents

Research In Motion (RIM), maker of the popular line of BlackBerry mobile devices, and Motorola have a technology cross-licensing deal that will allow the two companies to share their proprietary technologies.

Reuters reports that the two companies could not reach an agreement for renewal appropriate for both sides. As a result of the two companies are locked in a legal battle with both alleging that the other was infringing on its patents.

RIM says that Motorola is violating several of its patents and other claims that Motorola is demanding what he calls exorbitant royalties for patents vital to its service. RIM says that this includes using technology to enable their devices to connect to Wi-Fi networks.

Motorola told Reuters: “We have not yet reviewed the complaint, but based on our understanding of the issue, we believe their claims are completely without merit and Motorola intend to defend vigorously.”

Motorola said it filed two lawsuits over the weekend - one in Texas and one in Delaware - against RIM. Motorola specifically targets certain RIM devices in one of his trials. The BlackBerry devices targeted include 8100, 8300 and 8800 as well as the BlackBerry software Exchange Server.

RIM’s American network suffered a failure last week to be attached to the updated information to enhance its capacity. Rumours have been circulating that Motorola may be looking to leave the mobile handset market with a sale of its mobile handset business.