No BlackBerry Deal Yet

Last Friday, US District Court Judge Spencer refused to order an injunction against the use of patented technology in RIM's Blackberry service, as was requested by patent holder NTP. Spencer acknowledged the jury's verdict (that RIM had committed infringement) had not changed. He also admonished both sides for not resolving the dispute outside the court system. Spencer said that he will issue a decision on the requested injunction "as soon as reasonably possible" but indicated that he will first render a decision on damages to be awarded to NTP as part of the suit.

Despite claims that RIM has developed a workaround if the injunction is awarded, the company also admits that implementing such a plan would be both costly and time consuming. NTP meanwhile has said that it will investigate whether RIM's workaround would also violate patents.

Despite the ruling, neither company seemed to show any indications that they would be willing to consider negotiating a settlement following the weekend.