BlackBerry Wins Court Order Halting Sales of Typo Keyboard Case For iPhone 5S
A keyboard accessory funded by Ryan Seacrest and intended for iPhone 5 and 5S devices hit a bit of a legal snag that leaves the project's future up in the air. According to multiple reports, BlackBerry won a court order barring Typo Products from selling its $99 Typo Keyboard Case after the Canadian handset maker convinced a judge that patent infringement was likely taking place.
"BlackBerry has convincingly shown that BlackBerry’s keyboard designs are a key driver of demand and goodwill for BlackBerry phones. Typo’s keyboard directly targets the segment of smartphone users that prefer a physical keyboard, the market in which BlackBerry competes," U.S. District Judge William Orrick wrote in a ruling.''
Based on the evidence provided, the judge believes BlackBerry has a strong case and is likely to win its patent infringement claims. In addition, the judge was unsympathetic to Typo's claim that an injunction could drive the company out of business if it can't continue to process future orders.
"While we are flattered by the desire to graft our keyboard onto other smartphones, we will not tolerate the deliberate use of our iconic design without proper permission," BlackBerry said in a statement, according to Recode. "We are proud of our keyboard and will vigorously protect our intellectual property against any company that infringes our rights or attempts to copy our unique designs and patented technology."
BlackBerry Q10
Not surprisingly, Typo wasn't as thrilled with the ruling. However, the company vowed to "continue to make and sell innovative products that busy people can't live without."
"BlackBerry has convincingly shown that BlackBerry’s keyboard designs are a key driver of demand and goodwill for BlackBerry phones. Typo’s keyboard directly targets the segment of smartphone users that prefer a physical keyboard, the market in which BlackBerry competes," U.S. District Judge William Orrick wrote in a ruling.''
Based on the evidence provided, the judge believes BlackBerry has a strong case and is likely to win its patent infringement claims. In addition, the judge was unsympathetic to Typo's claim that an injunction could drive the company out of business if it can't continue to process future orders.
"While we are flattered by the desire to graft our keyboard onto other smartphones, we will not tolerate the deliberate use of our iconic design without proper permission," BlackBerry said in a statement, according to Recode. "We are proud of our keyboard and will vigorously protect our intellectual property against any company that infringes our rights or attempts to copy our unique designs and patented technology."
BlackBerry Q10
Not surprisingly, Typo wasn't as thrilled with the ruling. However, the company vowed to "continue to make and sell innovative products that busy people can't live without."
