BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) has reached a truce with Typo over allegations that the latter infringed on its trademark mini-keyboard with the unveiling of a BlackBerry-style Keyboard for iPhones. Typo has now been barred from selling its Blackberry-like keyboard to devices with screen sizes less than 7.9 inches as part of the settlement.
Terms of the Settlement
BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) had sued Typo co-founded and financed by American Idol host Ryan Seacrest for copying its iconic keyboard with the unveiling of its second generation keyboard Typo2. The Waterloo, Ontario-based company, had won an initial injunction in 2014 against Typo’s first keyboard that had similarities to its trademark keyboard.
Typo was fined 860, 600 by a federal court for violating the first injunction. However, Typo has been given permission to offer its keyboards to devices with screens above 7.9 inches meaning the design could find its way in tablets. Other terms of the settlement such as financial agreement will remain under wraps according to BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY).
BlackBerry Hurdles
The design patents that BlackBerry alleges Typo infringed on include design and the backlighting feature as well as the “fret” bars that normally separates rows of keys on its line of smartphones. The ruling is a big win for BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) even as it continues to face hurdles on the hardware front. The company has seen its prospects on the hardware front come under immense pressure from iPhones and Android powered phones in terms of competition.
It remains to be seen what impact the ruling will have on BlackBerry even as it continues to struggle on the hardware front. The trademark keyboard remains one of the most attractive features of BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) phones. A design that has allowed the company to sell more devices to people who don’t like the touchscreen interface.
Despite the hurdles on the hardware front, BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) continues to perform extremely well on the software front thanks to a string of deals with big corporates as well as government institutions.
