Originally Posted by
eshropshire Reading the description I doubt the Keyboard patent is involve. Also considering patents are only good for 19 years I assume that patent only has a few years left.
I believe the most valuable patents are for messaging. BlackBerry has won several claims on their messaging patents. They probably have a few other software patents that have value. The challenge they will have is finding someone with deep pockets who want the patents. US Court patent rules have changed a lot over the past few years. No more shopping for a hick Court. Also, rules make it harder to enforce patents from patent mill companies.
My guess is Facebook will buy the patents for well under 1/2 of what BlackBerry wants. Will help protect FB with Facebook messaging, Instagram and WhatsApp.
I wasn't aware of wins in their messaging patent claims... most of them have been turn down. Only a few left that Facebook, SNAP, Twitter and Instagram are still fighting pretty strongly. At one time some thought these would be worth billions, but I don't think anyone is still thinking that, with the way things have gone over the last two years. And have to assume that BlackBerry picked their most valuable patents to "protect" or monetize.
That big case against QC wasn't about patents, but overpayments...
Biggest issue is many of these companies have been using features for years, BlackBerry barley was able to proceed with the current round, due to their "communications" going back years. That won't help someone that wants to pick through all these and find one that someone else has been infringing on for years and years.
From what I read.... it's the majority of their patents dealing with all things that BlackBerry is no longer interested in. I expect that would include hardware designs like keyboards. Have to remember there isn't one PKB patent, but years and years of them. Many that made it to product devices, other that were more theoretical in nature (and shorter patent life). While the designs of some of their earliest devices might soon to expire, the designs for the likes of the Classic and Mercury still have a lot of life. If there is a viable market for those patents....