Blackberry Addicts Fear Loss of Device

Posted on January 24, 2006

A U.S. Supreme Court decision not hear a case involving patent infringement against Blackberry developer Research In Motion Ltd. may be bad news for Blackberry fans. Reuters reports that a federal judge could now issue an injunction against RIM.

The chance of a Blackberry-less future loomed more vividly this week when the U.S. Supreme Court refused to review a major patent infringement ruling against maker Research In Motion Ltd.

Now, a federal judge could issue an injunction to block RIM's U.S. business. Many observers, however, suspect RIM may develop alternative technology or perhaps pay what some say could be as much as a billion dollars to settle with patent-holding company NTP Inc.

"I'm addicted. They should pay the billion dollars and get it over with," Blackberry user and insurance company executive Jim Long said outside his Manhattan office on Monday.

So pervasive is the Blackberry culture, with some 3.65 million customers, that the device is nicknamed the "Crackberry" for its addictive allure. And it's blamed for woes ranging from rudeness to injury to obsession.

The article continues with the concerns of about blackberry addicts who are also known as crackberries. With 3.65 million customers it seems that the two companies will find some way to resolve the issue probably with RIM paying lots of money to NTP, Inc., the patent-holder.

More from HowToWeb