RIM loses out to Nokia in patent dispute

Nokia has successfully upheld its patent dispute with RIM and the results could have disastrous affects on the company's already struggling BlackBerry brand.  

And with the launch of BlackBerry 10 just around the corner, the last thing RIM needs is a patent ruling levelled against it, especially when it’s one that could result in its handsets being banned from sale. 

Nokia said on Wednesday a Swedish arbitrator had ruled that ‘RIM was in breach of contract and is not entitled to manufacture or sell WLAN products without first agreeing royalties with Nokia,’ reports The Financial Post. 

It’s an important ruling that could cause RIM a lot of headaches as it limbers up for the big BlackBerry 10 reveal, which is scheduled to take place on January 30. 

‘If a sales ban was imposed it would be a massive blow for RIM as it manages its transition to the new BlackBerry 10 software platform,’ said Canalys analyst Pete Cunningham.

This isn’t likely to happen, however, and most agree that RIM and Nokia will reach am agreement that’ll involve RIM paying Nokia royalties for use of its WLAN tech. 

Nokia already generates around €500 million a year from patents but sources now claim it’s looking to increase this yield as its smartphone business goes from bad to worse. And it looks like RIM is first on the list. 

Next? Fellow Windows Phone-maker, HTC – read more about that case here.