Did Research In Motion Really Lose $147 Million?

Over the weekend, Research In Motion RIMM announced that it had been ordered to pay $147.2 million in damages to Mformation Technologies. Mformation Technologies sued Research in Motionfour years ago, alleging that the firm infringed on two of its patents. Mformation argued that Research in Motion was aware of the technology after having discussions with the firm about a possible licensing agreement. "Mformation created the mobile device management category in the late 1990s and was innovating in this area well before most of the market understood the fundamental importance of wireless mobility management," Mformation founder Rakesh Kushwaha told PCMag. "Our patents are a core part of our innovative products, and are fundamental to the methods used for device management in the market today." Research in Motion countered the verdict by saying that it is "disappointed by the outcome and is evaluating all legal options." "Additionally, the trial judge has yet to decide certain legal issues that might impact the verdict," the company wrote in its press release addressing the matter. "RIM will await those rulings before deciding whether to pursue an appeal." Research in Motion also said that it "does not believe that the Mformation patent in question is valid." For now, the verdict is not much more than a media win for Mformation, which received positive headlines after the announcement. But it is also another black eye for the BlackBerry maker. Follow me @LouisBedigianBZ