Summary
The post analyses the legal dispute between Blackberry and Typo Products over alleged patent infringement related to smartphone keyboard designs. After an initial injunction against Typo’s first product, Blackberry reached a settlement with Typo in the US District Court for Northern California concerning the Typo 2 keyboard. The agreement restricts Typo from selling keyboards for smartphones with screens smaller than 7.9 inches, protecting Blackberry’s signature physical keyboard feature. Despite these legal victories, the post notes Blackberry’s declining market position since the advent of the iPhone. The account provides a structured overview of the case’s factual and legal developments.
BlackBerry secured a further victory in its campaign to protect its physical keyboard patents when it reached a patent infringement settlement with Typo Products in the US District Court for the Northern District of California. The settlement followed an earlier preliminary injunction obtained by BlackBerry against Typo’s first product.
Background: Typo 1 and Typo 2
Typo Products was a collaborative venture between television presenter Ryan Seacrest and entrepreneur Laurence Hallier. Its first product, Typo 1, was a BlackBerry-style clip-on physical keyboard designed for the iPhone 5 and 5s. After losing the initial infringement suit, Typo launched a successor product — Typo 2 — for the iPhone 6, representing it as free of the features that had infringed BlackBerry’s patents. BlackBerry filed a second suit against Typo in February 2015, sceptical of the claimed novelty.
BlackBerry’s Allegations
BlackBerry alleged that Typo 2 continued to infringe proprietary BlackBerry patents relating to design, back-lighting, and typing automation technologies. The extension of keys to the side edges and the vertical spacing between rows — features closely associated with BlackBerry’s keyboard experience — were said to have been reproduced. Typo 2 was priced at USD 79 for the iPhone 5 and 5s and at USD 99 for the iPhone 6.
Settlement Terms
BlackBerry issued an official statement on June 1, 2015 confirming that a patent infringement settlement had been reached with Typo. Under the agreement, Typo is barred from selling keyboards for smartphone devices with a screen smaller than 7.9 inches. The settlement does not prohibit Typo from selling keyboards for devices with screens larger than 7.9 inches.
Broader Context
BlackBerry has long distinguished itself on the strength of its physical keyboard experience, making consistent pursuit of such infringement suits a predictable strategic response. The settlement may have preserved that distinctive feature; however, BlackBerry’s market position had been in sustained decline since the introduction of touchscreen smartphones in 2007. The company experienced considerable financial losses in 2014 and saw musician Alicia Keys depart from her role as global creative director.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information and does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult a qualified attorney before acting on any matter discussed here.