• BlackBerry patents resurface in lawsuit targeting modern printer technologies
• Brother faces claims of willful infringement over legacy mobile innovations
• Patent firms push for damages and sweeping product redesigns

Two patent firms have launched a lawsuit against Brother Industries that traces back to BlackBerry’s old mobile patents.

The complaint from Malikie Innovations and Key Patent Innovations alleges Brother’s printers and multifunction devices use secure wireless links, data encoding methods, and touchscreen interfaces originally developed for BlackBerry phones.

These four patents now sit in Malikie’s portfolio after BlackBerry sold off much of its non-core IP to Key Patent Innovations in 2023.

Why this lawsuit matters for the printer industry

The plaintiffs claim that Brother continued using the patented technology despite prior awareness and licensing opportunities, which has led to allegations of willful infringement, which could result in enhanced penalties beyond standard damages.

The lawsuit seeks monetary damages, enhanced penalties, and a permanent injunction against Brother.

A permanent injunction could force the company to redesign its products or disrupt sales entirely - which would not only hurt Brother, but it could also set a precedent for other printer manufacturers.

Patent holders are increasingly targeting embedded software and connectivity features, putting the entire printer industry on notice.

BlackBerry was once a dominant force in the smartphone market, known for its secure wireless communications and physical keyboards.

The company’s patents have outlived its hardware business, becoming valuable assets for licensing firms.

Irish firms Malikie Innovations and Key Patent Innovations have acquired these patents and are now enforcing them against Brother.

The lawsuit shows how intellectual property from defunct or struggling tech companies can find new life in the hands of patent assertion entities, which generate revenue by licensing patents or winning lawsuits, rather than manufacturing products themselves.

The case is still in its early stages, and Brother has not yet filed a formal response. If the court finds Brother liable for willful infringement, the financial penalties could be substantial.

A permanent injunction would be even more damaging, potentially forcing Brother to halt sales of certain printer models.

Other printer manufacturers, including HP, Canon, and Epson, may be watching this case closely.

They could face similar lawsuits if the same patents are asserted against their products.

The lawsuit raises questions about whether BlackBerry’s patents are truly innovative or simply broad enough to cover standard industry practices.

Patent licensing firms often rely on the high cost of litigation to force settlements, regardless of the underlying merit of their claims.

Brother may choose to fight the case rather than settle, but legal battles of this scale can take years and cost millions of dollars.

Via TonerNews

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