RIM has not infringed on Mformation Technologies Inc's patent, said a U.S. judge overturning last month's ruling that found RIM guilty.
A California court directed RIM to pay Mformation Technologies $147.2 million ruling that the Canadian Blackberry maker infringed on a process that remotely manages a wireless device over a wireless network. RIM was to pay $8 for every BlackBerry device connected to RIM's enterprise server software.
RIM has appealed the judgement and on Thursday, Judge James Ware agreed that, "the evidence did not support the jury's finding of patent infringement."
"We appreciate the Judge's careful consideration of this case. RIM did not infringe on Mformation's patent and we are pleased with this victory," said Steve Zipperstein, chief legal officer RIM in a statement. "The purpose of the patent system is to encourage innovation, but the system is still too often exploited in pursuit of other goals. Many policy makers have already recognised the need to address this problem and we call on others to join them as this case clearly highlights the significant need for continuing policy reform to help reduce the amount of resources wasted on unwarranted patent litigation."
The verdict will definitely provide a boost for the Canadian company whose stock fell more than 70 percent in the past year and whose customers have abandoned it for Android-based smartphones or for Apple's iPhones.
Though Mformation can appeal, it will lead to a new trial and the verdict will not be reinstated.