[iN8ter]

Uh, what?

Why would a company release a product that makes their competitors product work like their product?

Yes, there is some demand for a good smartphone with a good physical keyboard. That's why Blackberry MAKES ONE. And thus...protects it with something we call "a patent".

Cash in on demand to make your competitors product better than yours? How is this possible?

A lawsuit does more than make lawyers rich, just like buying a smartphone does more than make smartphone makers rich. A law suit protects what few advantages you still have. Basic business. Yes, it's possible they may draw more attention to it....short term....but it hasn't gotten of the ground yet. Who cares if it gets more attention if they never sell a keyboard?

Because they are barely selling their own hardware and since iOS has such a large marketshare in some markets (and a lot of BB ex-QWERTY users went from OS6/7 to iOS), then it probably wouldn't be a bad idea to cash in by selling them a keyboard accessory.

It's no different than Microsoft and Google putting their services on other platforms, and no different than BB releasing a service (BBM) to Android/iOS which was once the main reason for consumers to stick with their own devices...

[redlightblinking]

They've already done what you think they shouldn't have.

And what was that again?

They already gave the competition BBM didn't they? Didn't that help make the competition more attractive? They gave the competition their mobile device management solution also didn't they? Didn't that make the competitors offerings more attractive? The only thing BlackBerry really has left is the keyboard. Why not try to cash in on that as well?

How would they "cash in" on it if Ryan Seacrest and another company are cashing in. Ryan Seacrest and Co. didn't release BBM, or DMS....Blackberry did. Get the picture?

[redlightblinking]

Because they are barely selling their own hardware and since iOS has such a large marketshare in some markets (and a lot of BB ex-QWERTY users went from OS6/7 to iOS), then it probably wouldn't be a bad idea to cash in by selling them a keyboard accessory.

Ah, so instead of being a smartphone company....just throw in the towel and become a keyboard accessory company instead. What's next, just be an iphone cover maker? They can't "cash in" if they aren't selling it anyway. Ryan Seacrest and company are.

[iN8ter]

Ah, so instead of being a smartphone company....just throw in the towel and become a keyboard accessory company instead. What's next, just be an iphone cover maker? They can't "cash in" if they aren't selling it anyway. Ryan Seacrest and company are.

They have a website from which they can sell.

They have manufacturing partners that can produce in scale.

They still have services to sell as well.

Also, I may have missed it. But where did either Saiga or I say they should allow that start-up to continue producing and selling the device. We're saying they should cash in now before someone finds a way to avoid a lawsuit while offering up basically the same package...

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

[iN8ter]

They've already done what you think they shouldn't have.

They already gave the competition BBM didn't they? Didn't that help make the competition more attractive? They gave the competition their mobile device management solution also didn't they? Didn't that make the competitors offerings more attractive? The only thing BlackBerry really has left is the keyboard. Why not try to cash in on that as well?

Why is it OK for BlackBerry to try to cash in on their BBM and MDM but not the keyboard?

BBM and BES were exclusive strengths of BlackBerry, but both are now on the competition's devices. Why not do the same with the keyboard?

Let them keep it. Someone will eventually produce a good one that will siphon off enough QWERTY hold-outs while avoiding infringement, that even that part of their business will cease to matter, not that it really does these days as 95% of the market has moved to full-touch devices anyways... The same thing happened with BBM. They clung onto it far too long - fighting for market share instead of defining the market.

This is a niche accessory for people with very specific requirements or demands/wants. It is not something the market is "demanding." Just something some people who moved from BB to iPhone would like. If it was that huge of a deal, they'd probably move back to BB but they aren't doing that, obviously.

[Saiga]

And what was that again?

I meant they've already gave the competition not one, but two of their exclusive strengths.

You said they shouldn't give the competition the keyboard because it will make the competition's devices better. But they've already done it twice with BBM and BES. They've already helped make it easier for BlackBerry customers to move to iOS or Android.

All I was saying is they might as well try to cash in on the keyboard like they've already did with BBM and BES.

[redlightblinking]

They have a website from which they can sell.

They have manufacturing partners that can produce in scale.

They still have services to sell as well.

Uh, sure. What does this have to do with anything? You could apply these basic points to BB selling earrings or hub caps. The question is, why make a device that literally renders your device obsolete?

[redlightblinking]

I meant they've already gave the competition not one, but two of their exclusive strengths.

You said they shouldn't give the competition the keyboard because it will make the competition's devices better. But they've already done it twice with BBM and BES. They've already helped make it easier for BlackBerry customers to move to iOS or Android.

All I was saying is they might as well try to cash in on the keyboard like they've already did with BBM and BES.

They aren't "selling" BBM. It's free. They yet to figure out how to monetize it. At the moment it's keeping people from leaving by getting their friends back on BBM again. And allowing BES on other phones simply keeps companies from ditching them completely. Same concept. It keeps them in the game.

Selling keyboards does nothing but reduce them to a cheap keyboard selling company.

[cjcampbell]

Just to clear a little up here, as the OP seems to be missing the whole statement. They aren't necessarily looking to block the product, but to get compensation for the use of it.

"This is a blatant infringement against BlackBerry's iconic keyboard, and we will vigorously protect our intellectual property against any company that attempts to copy our unique design. From the beginning, BlackBerry has always focused on offering an exceptional typing experience that combines a great design with ergonomic excellence. We are flattered by the desire to graft our keyboard onto other smartphones, but we will not tolerate such activity without fair compensation for using our intellectual property and our technological innovations," said Steve Zipperstein, BlackBerry's General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer.

[redlightblinking]

Let them keep it. Someone will eventually produce a good one that will siphon off enough QWERTY hold-outs while avoiding infringement, that even that part of their business will cease to matter, not that it really does these days as 95% of the market has moved to full-touch devices anyways... The same thing happened with BBM. They clung onto it far too long - fighting for market share instead of defining the market.

This is a niche accessory for people with very specific requirements or demands/wants. It is not something the market is "demanding." Just something some people who moved from BB to iPhone would like. If it was that huge of a deal, they'd probably move back to BB but they aren't doing that, obviously.

No, but Seacrest and others carry two phones...a BB and something else....purely because of the BB keyboard (Seacrest's own words). If you allow them to get rid of their BB by just putting that keyboard they love from BB on the iPhone....there goes more customers.

[Saiga]

Let them keep it. Someone will eventually produce a good one that will siphon off enough QWERTY hold-outs while avoiding infringement, that even that part of their business will cease to matter, not that it really does these days as 95% of the market has moved to full-touch devices anyways... The same thing happened with BBM. They clung onto it far too long - fighting for market share instead of defining the market.

This is a niche accessory for people with very specific requirements or demands/wants. It is not something the market is "demanding." Just something some people who moved from BB to iPhone would like. If it was that huge of a deal, they'd probably move back to BB but they aren't doing that, obviously.

That's exactly what I was thinking. They clung onto the BBM advantage for so long that by they time they gave it up, it didn't matter. They have an advantage with the keyboard, and there are people who miss it, but the keyboard isn't enough to cause to someone to buy BlackBerry 10. Just like BBM was missed, but couldn't keep everyone on BlackBerry forever.

If this accessory makes it to market, all of the iOS users that missed the BlackBerry keyboard would have a option to get it back. And all it would take is for Samsung to get serious about making a Android device with a good keyboard, and all of those Android users that do happen to miss the BlackBerry keyboard will have a option also.

Seems like it might be a good idea for BlackBerry to offer those options themselves before it is too late.

[redlightblinking]

Just to clear a little up here, as the OP seems to be missing the whole statement. They aren't necessarily looking to block the product, but to get compensation for the use of it.

"This is a blatant infringement against BlackBerry's iconic keyboard, and we will vigorously protect our intellectual property against any company that attempts to copy our unique design. From the beginning, BlackBerry has always focused on offering an exceptional typing experience that combines a great design with ergonomic excellence. We are flattered by the desire to graft our keyboard onto other smartphones, but we will not tolerate such activity without fair compensation for using our intellectual property and our technological innovations," said Steve Zipperstein, BlackBerry's General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer.

Very good point. I wonder how much compensation is fair.

[iN8ter]

Not much. Cause barely any were produced or sold. Damages are minimal at this point.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

[alternator77]

Really was there ever any doubt this would happen Rotfl!




Posted via CB10

[redlightblinking]

Not much. Cause barely any were produced or sold. Damages are minimal at this point.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

No, I meant if they do eventually sell this thing. BB statement seems to imply that they'd allow it if they were fairly compensated. I wonder how much of a percentage they'd want. Perhaps one so high that it makes it impossible for the company to sell it?

[Kingdmen]

Many people don't realize, Ryan is one of the most powerful movers in Hollywood. Kim Kardashian owes ALL her fame to him. Ever notice, KUWTK is a Seacrest Production? This guy created and produced the show, as many other shows. Ryan is not stupid, he will be fine. Don't see this as a good thing for BB.

Say what you want, BB weekly enjoyed free weekly advertisement from the Kardashian family, always on the Porsche BB in full view. Did BB just put an end to this freebee?

Didn't help now did it lol

Posted via CB10

[Eumaeus]

It looks like a "trade dress" lawsuit, and thus entirely appropriate. From the press release's language ("iconic keyboard"), they aren't suing because the Typo adds a keyboard to an iPhone, but because it adds a keyboard that looks exactly like a Blackberry keyboard. BBRY will have to make the case that the color, texture, sculpted keys, and layout come together to create an infringement. I think it is a strong case.

I'm glad they are doing this... protecting the constellation of features that makes a Blackberry keyboard distinctive, and which is one of the best-loved features of BB phones. I think it would be in BBRY's interest not to settle for some licensing fee but for an injunction. No percentage of sales on a niche iPhone accessory will amount to much money. It is the buzz around the Typo that is damaging: "Now a Blackberry keyboard for your iPhone!" Chen and the legal team should kill it with fire.

(And perhaps, now, there will be an end to griping about how "Apple claimed to patent rounded rectangles", when their suit against Samsung was based on precisely the same kind of similarity: many factors which, all together, were claimed by Apple--and found by the court--to constitute a rip-off. But maybe that is too much to hope for.)

[Kingdmen]

Prediction: BlackBerry will cut a deal with Typo for a percentage of the earnings and the right to use BlackBerry's name (if they want..it isn't exactly an attractive name to have right now).

Posted via CB10

[cjcampbell]

Prediction: BlackBerry will cut a deal with Typo for a percentage of the earnings and the right to use BlackBerry's name (if they want..it isn't exactly an attractive name to have right now).

Posted via CB10

They won't use the name... just use the ip. It could come in a lump sum payment or a per unit royalty. That's for the lawyers to figure out.

[nabil114]

Cool! This is good.

[RH1Pearl]

By "these type of cases", do you mean all cases?

Cases that can drag on with multiple appeals

[kellyTKD]

Why would a company release a product that makes their competitors product work like their product?

BBM?

[redlightblinking]

Cases that can drag on with multiple appeals

How do you know it will drag on with multiple appeals?

[redlightblinking]

BBM?

It's simply allowing former BB people to connect with current BB people so current BB people don't leave. (and perhaps some future ads or something). If it weren't for those other people they are connecting with back on BB, the iphone people couldn't care less about BBM. That's not the case with a hardware feature like the famous keyboard, which people may want regardless of any other friends on BB. Some people still carry a BB and an Iphone/;Android....but not purely for BBM. It's for the keyboard. Take that advantage away....and BB becomes more irrelevant.

[Joao Oliveira]

Is the same keyboard, they just expanded the last row... But they key design, the stripes between rows, even the font is the same... Blackberry's QUERTY phones are the best ones to text, and for sure the company wanted it to look like a BB, so that it was the most atractive.